DASH is an acronym meaning “Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension.” Many people who are diagnosed with hypertension find it helpful to have some guidance with eating properly to support their body while they manage high blood pressure. Adopting any new dietary changes is a lot easier for seniors with the help of home care assistance and a plan.
Understanding Hypertension
Hypertension is more commonly called high blood pressure. This is a condition that can cause big health problems the longer that it goes untreated. Many seniors don’t realize that they have high blood pressure because the symptoms often go unnoticed. Once seniors are diagnosed with hypertension, it’s important that they follow their doctors’ recommendations for best results, and that might include eating according to the DASH diet.
The DASH Diet
The DASH diet encourages people to choose whole grains and lean proteins as a big portion of their meals. Whole grains like whole wheat, oats, and brown rice are high in fiber which can help with blood pressure control. Lean protein sources like beans, poultry, and fish tend to be lower in saturated fats. Fruits and vegetables are also encouraged. People eating according to DASH guidelines should also limit dairy, sodium, and added sugars.
Benefits of the DASH Diet
Eating according to the DASH diet can have some big benefits for seniors with hypertension. They can improve blood pressure management, cholesterol levels, and even their weight. These factors can also help to prevent heart disease and improve overall health. If seniors have been eating lots of highly processed foods or an unhealthy diet in other ways, they can also boost their nutritional intake very quickly with the DASH diet.
Implementing the DASH Diet
Seniors can find it overwhelming to start eating according to the DASH diet at first. Changes like reducing sodium and eating foods that require more preparation is not necessarily easy to do without help. Starting out small with one or two changes can make it easier to implement the DASH diet in the beginning. The DASH diet also encourages whole foods eating, which can mean a lot more preparation than seniors are used to with each meal.
Making the DASH Diet Easier on Seniors
There are more steps that family caregivers can take in order to make the DASH diet easier on seniors. Elder care providers can make tasks like meal preparation, meal planning, and even grocery shopping less of a challenge for aging adults. When seniors are able to just enjoy their meals, that can take a lot of the pressure out of starting a new way of eating.
Changing to a new way of eating isn’t always easy to do for people of any age. It can be even more difficult when seniors need to eat a specific way because of hypertension. Home care assistance can be a valuable tool to help seniors adjust to eating according to the DASH diet. As seniors start to experience the benefits of this diet for their health, it can be even easier to keep going.
IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE IS CONSIDERING HIRING HOME CARE ASSISTANCE IN SUNNYVALE, CA, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT HOME HELPERS TODAY. (408) 317-4969
