Changes in the liver often go hand in hand with aging, but your senior loved one can still take measures to maintain a healthy liver. Here are five tips that can help your loved one boost his or her liver health.
1. Eat to Prevent Gallstones
With age comes decreased bile production in the liver, increasing the likelihood of gallstones. Though gallstones aren’t completely preventable, your loved one can reduce the risk of developing them and keep his or her liver healthy by eating a diet that’s high in fiber and low in fat and cholesterol.
2. Lose Weight Gradually
Overweight seniors are more prone to gallstones, but quick weight loss can be hard on the liver. Rapid weight loss triggers the liver to release extra cholesterol, which throws off the ratio of cholesterol and bile salt levels. If your loved one needs to lose weight, encourage him or her to do so gradually.
If your loved one needs help shopping for groceries and preparing nutritious meals, consider hiring a home caregiver. Seniors can face a variety of challenges as they age, many of which can be mitigated with the help of professional in-home caregivers who provide high-quality home care. Windermere families trust Prestige Home Care Orlando to help their elderly loved ones age in place safely and comfortably.
3. Limit Alcohol Consumption
As people age, alcoholic beverages can start to affect their health more profoundly. Because a senior’s blood alcohol concentration shoots up higher than that of a younger adult who has the same number of drinks, it may be easier than expected for seniors to develop an alcohol problem. Because alcohol is damaging to the liver, it’s wise to keep an eye on how much your loved one is drinking.
If your aging loved one needs help managing everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, turn to Prestige Home Care Orlando, a leading provider of senior care. Prestige Home Care Orlando provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives.
4. Evaluate Medications
The liver can lose some of its ability to metabolize medications and other substances over time. Therefore, it may be necessary for your loved one to reduce dosages to prevent an overdose or strain on the liver. However, these changes should be made under the care of a medical professional.
5. Schedule Regular Medical Checkups
The chances of liver disease can increase with age, but early intervention makes a difference. The sooner liver problems are detected, the sooner doctors, seniors, and caregivers can work together to treat the problem.
Every senior has different needs when aging in place. Some simply need occasional assistance with household chores, while others may be managing serious illnesses and require more extensive live-in care. Altamonte Springs seniors can count on Prestige Home Care Orlando to provide the in-home care they need and deserve. If your loved one needs help with the challenges of aging, call one of our compassionate Care Managers today at (407) 604-0504.