How to Help Your Elderly Loved One Stay Healthy

Dr. Garrigos and our team at Socrates A. Garrigos, MD, PA, offers a full scope of geriatric care services for aging adults in McAllen, Texas, and the surrounding area. A big part of our care approach is providing information, advice, and help for relatives and friends who want their elderly loved ones to stay as healthy, functional, and active as possible. 

Whether you’re in a caregiver role or simply part of their daily life, there’s a lot you can do to help an elderly loved one thrive and stay independent. Here are a few tips for supporting aging adults through their golden years.

1. Stave off or address social isolation

Everyone needs social connections to sustain themselves and thrive, but many people spend more time alone in their older years. The death of a partner, fewer friendships, and poor health are just a few factors that can lead to social isolation and feelings of loneliness for the elderly.  

Loneliness is the upsetting feeling of being alone, while social isolation is having too few people to interact with regularly. In aging adults, both can generate a higher risk of health problems, including accelerated cognitive decline.  

Help your loved one to stay connected: speak with them or stop by as often as possible. Encourage connecting with other friends and family members, or help them find social groups (i.e., at their place of worship, local library, or senior center) that meet regularly.  

2. Find ways to keep them moving

Daily physical activity is vital at every age, including later adulthood. Inactivity raises your loved one’s risk of dealing with chronic disease and pain, reduced mobility, and depression. Regular exercise is associated with:

• Improved sleep
• An elevated mood
• Better balance
• A lower fall risk
• Less joint pain 
• Reduced stress
• Sustained mobility

Simply put, older active adults enjoy a higher quality of life — often, many more years without pain and disability. Encourage your loved one to stay active by helping them find activities they enjoy, such as walking, hiking, swimming laps, or partaking in senior group exercise classes like water aerobics or tai chi.      

Even routine tasks like gardening and housework can count as physical activity if they get your loved one moving; finding activities (i.e., walking, gentle yoga) you can do with them is a great way to promote social connection and exercise at the same time.   

3. Champion healthy eating patterns 

It’s never too late to make healthier eating choices, even for people who’ve spent a lifetime eating a diet rich in processed foods, added sugars, or saturated fat. For aging adults, a wholesome diet supports stronger muscles and bones, helping with balance, mobility, and independence. It also helps control chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease. 

While older adults may find it challenging to form healthier eating habits, even small changes can be helpful. Take your loved one to the grocery store and help them pick healthy food options, or cook a nutritious meal once a week. Encourage asking their doctor about recommended dietary supplements.       

4. Make their home environment safer

Every year in the United States, one in four seniors aged 65 and older falls. Falling in old age is a leading cause of bone fractures, and sometimes long-term disability or even death.  

Make safety a priority whether your loved one lives with you or in their home. Fall risk increases with age, especially in environments containing numerous fall hazards. You can reduce this risk by:

• Removing all throw rugs
• Clearing away excess clutter
• Creating clear, wide pathways
• Using nightlights in all spaces

It’s also a good idea to add safety rails in the shower, near the tub, and alongside the toilet, and cover hardwood stairs with carpeting or non-skid strips.  

Helping your loved one stay active keeps them strong and improves their balance, reducing their fall risk. Getting enough calcium and vitamin D can lower their chances of sustaining a fracture from a fall. 

5. Encourage routine doctor’s visits 

Encourage your loved one to have regular exams with Dr. Garrigos or another geriatrician who can conduct recommended preventive screenings, manage chronic disease, assess medication use and needs, catch new concerns early — including vision and hearing changes — and provide prompt care.  

Ask them about their recent or upcoming medical visits and offer to drive them to their next appointment. They may also find it helpful if you accompany them to the visit and offer to take notes or ask questions. 

Remember, healthy behavior changes can help elderly adults maintain their well-being and live more independently longer – and we’re here to help. Click on the online scheduler or call our office to book a visit at Socrates A. Garrigos, MD, PA, today.