If your senior loved one wants to reduce the risk of developing cancer, making healthier lifestyle choices is the perfect place to start. Here are a few steps that can help your loved one stave off the various forms of this serious disease.
Increase Antioxidant Intake
When molecules are oxidized, the number of electrons can grow or shrink. This leaves molecules with an odd number of electrons, making them unstable and opening the door to cell damage and diseases like cancer. Antioxidants are nutrients that repair these damaged molecules, also referred to as free radicals. While the body does make some antioxidants on its own, seniors can get more by taking supplements or eating foods such as carrots, pumpkin, fruits, and leafy green vegetables. You may not always be able to personally make sure your parent gets proper nutrition. Families who find it difficult to care for their aging loved ones without assistance can benefit greatly from professional respite care. Winnipeg, MB, family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties can turn to Home Care Assistance. Using our proprietary Balanced Care Method, our respite caregivers can encourage your loved one to eat well, exercise regularly, get plenty of mental and social stimulation, and focus on other lifestyle factors that promote longevity.
Stop Smoking
Smoking causes cancer by damaging cells in the body, especially those lining the lungs. Even if your loved one has smoked for several decades, quitting by age 54 can reduce those odds by 66 percent, according to researchers at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center. If your loved one quits smoking, make sure he or she has support from friends, family, and caregivers and takes up new hobbies to stay occupied during the times he or she would otherwise be smoking.Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional at-home care.Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.
Properly Apply Sunscreen
According to the Canadian Cancer Statistics report from 2014, skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in Canada. However, it’s also the most preventable. Seniors can reduce their risk by learning how to properly apply SPF protection. This includes applying sunscreen at least 15 minutes before going outside, frequently reapplying it throughout the day, taking the time to ensure all exposed parts of the body are covered, and choosing broad-spectrum coverage.
Eat Less Meat
Studies by the National Cancer Institute have shown a higher risk of cancer in people who eat meat, with red meat especially increasing instances of colon and rectal cancer. By focusing your loved one’s diet around vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and the occasional dish of lean meat and fish, he or she can maintain a healthy diet and lower the risk of certain cancers. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type ofhome care service. Winnipegfamilies can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide individualized care plans to meet their elderly loved ones’ unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia. For reliable in-home care services, contact us at (204) 489-6000.
