A healthy lifestyle contributes to cognitive acuity for the elderly. Healthy eating, exercise, and stimulating the mind with mental activity all lead to a fit well-being.
Healthy eating for many seniors is sometimes not as easy as one may think. Physical limitation, health issues, and financial hardship are often the cause of poor dietary choices. Seniors that find themselves cooking for two people, or those living alone, often select meals that are convenient and easy. Too often, convenience gives way to ideal nutrition.
While extremely convenient, commercially made and processed meals are often chosen by seniors that find it too difficult to prepare home cooked meals. Unfortunately, these meals don’t provide great nutritional value; such meals contain higher levels of carbohydrates and fats than need.
Foods high in lean-protein along with whole grains, vegetables, fruit, and calcium lead to physically fit seniors. Preparing meals that include these categories can be quite easy. A breakfast that includes breads and cereals high in fiber, fresh fruit, eggs, and yogurt is a great way to start the day. For lunch, a boiled piece of chicken or a piece of fish (cooked in a toaster oven) placed over a salad can provide a great energy boost for the remainder of the day. For dinner, a piece of grilled meat, fish or chicken can be prepared in many ways; add some grilled vegetables or a sweet potato and the day’s meals can be very nutritious.
The internet can be a great source for finding easy-to-make recipes. For those who do not cook for themselves, Senior Meals here in Eagle County provides home-delivered meals. Eagle County has three sites that provide lunches to seniors, Eagle, El Jebel, and Minturn. There are also many people here in our valley who will prepare meals for our seniors. I will be providing more information about this in another article in the near future.
Exercise and physical activity maintains cardiac fitness and vascular health stimulate the brain as well. Preferably thirty minutes of exercise three times a week, contributes to cardiovascular health. This vascular health and maintenance translates into a sharp mind for seniors.
Research has shown seniors with diets that include plenty of water, Omega-3s, and vitamins B, C, D, and E, do very well mentally. An individual can get these necessities by consuming five servings of fruits and vegetables a day, as well as fish once or twice a week.
Engaging in mentally challenging activities can also keep elderly minds quick and sharp. Reading, crossword puzzles, Sudoku puzzles, games, brain teasers, or learning a new language or musical instrument keeps mind active and occupied.
We are lucky to have many services available to our seniors in our valley and more are on their way.
Judson Haims is the owner of Visiting Angels Home Care in Eagle County. His contact information is: www.visitingangels.com/comtns[1], 970-328-5526.
Senior community calendar
Ongoing weekly activities
Mondays
Senior Spot for engaging activities and socialization (must be 55 or older), 1 to 4 p.m. at VSSA/Maloit Park Senior Wellness Center. Call 970-977-0188 for more information.
Exercise Class, 9 to 10 a.m. at the Golden Eagle Senior Center in Eagle. A full-body workout incorporating both seated and standing activities. Variety will be offered with hand weights, resistance tubing/bands, circuit training, balance and coordination challenges, and cardiovascular training. Call 970-328-8896 for more information.
Tuesdays
Senior lunch, noon at the Golden Eagle Senior Center in Eagle, $3 suggested donation for people 60 or older. Home pick-ups and drop-offs are available. Call 970-328-8896 for reservations and information.
Seated exercise class, 11 a.m. to noon at the Golden Eagle Senior Center. A fully seated class, incorporating general stretching and strengthening for both upper and lower extremities. Hand weights and resistance tubing/bands will be incorporated, as will seated balance activities to help engage the core. There will be some limited cardiovascular work in this class as well. Call 970-328-8896 for more information.
Transportation for errands (bank, post office, etc.). Bus leaves the Golden Eagle at 2 p.m. for this service. Call 970-328-8896.
Joint Relief Water Class, 10 to 11 a.m. at the Avon Recreation Center. $2 per class. Call 970-328-8831 for more information.
Water aerobics class, 10 to 11 a.m. at the Gypsum Recreation Center. $5 drop in rate. Call 970-328-8896 for more information.
Wednesdays
Senior lunch, 11:30 a.m. at VSSA/Maloit Park Senior Wellness Center. $2 per meal for those 60 or older. Home pick-ups and drop-offs are available, depending on location. Call 970-328-8831 for reservations.
Snowshoeing at Maloit Park Senior Wellness Center, 10 a.m. (snowshoes provided)
Chair yoga at Maloit Park Senior Wellness Center, 11 a.m.
Grocery shopping, bus leaves Maloit Park Senior Wellness Center at 12:30 p.m.
Exercise Class, 9 to 10 a.m. at the Golden Eagle. A full-body workout incorporating both seated and standing activities. Variety will be offered with hand weights, resistance tubing/bands, circuit training, balance and coordination challenges, and cardiovascular training. Call 970-328-8896 for more information.
Poker game at the Golden Eagle on the first and third Wednesday of every month, 1 to 3 p.m.
Thursdays
Senior Spot for engaging activities and socialization (must be 55 or older), 1 to 4 p.m. at VSSA/Maloit Park Senior Wellness Center. Call 970-977-0188 for more information.
Senior lunch, noon at the Golden Eagle Senior Center in Eagle, $3 suggested donation for people 60 or older. Home pick-ups and drop-offs are available. Call 970-328-8896 for reservations.
Senior crochet group, 1 p.m. at the Golden Eagle.
Grocery shopping, bus leaves the Golden Eagle at 1 or 2 p.m., depending on shopping location. Call 970-328-8896 for more information.
Water aerobics class, 10 to 11 a.m. at the Gypsum Recreation Center. $5 drop in rate. Call 970-328-8896 for more information.
Fridays
Senior lunch, 11:30 a.m. at VSSA/Maloit Park Senior Wellness Center, $2 fee per meal for those 60 or older. Home pick-ups and drop-offs are available, depending on location. Call 970-328-8831 for reservations.
Third Friday of every month: Poetry group at the Eagle Library, 10:30 a.m.
Senior snowshoe group in Eagle (depending on weather), 11 a.m. Call 328-8896 to get on the calling tree for dates and locations
Upcoming events:
Feb. 11-April 15. Mondays 2-3 p.m.: N’Balance class begins at the Senior Spot. This eight-session class is taught by Mary Ellen Cope. The cost is $16. Call 970-328-8831 for more information.
March 22: Bingo at the Golden Eagle senior center 1-4 p.m.
March 22: Ask-A-Lawyer Day at Maloit Park, Senior Wellness Center 11:30 a.m.
`March 25: Shopping and Errands at Walmart/Avon area. Bus will leave the Eagle senior center at 10 a.m. Call 970-328-8896 to sign up for a seat on the bus.
References
- ^ www.visitingangels.com/comtns (www.visitingangels.com)
Resources:
Be Well On Your Way: Journey to a More Authentic You (Paperback) tagged “healthy lifestyle” 88 times
Wed, 10 Nov 2010 00:25:58 GMT
Be Well On Your Way: Journey to a More Authentic You (Paperback)By Maiysha T Clairborne MD Click for more info Customer Rating:
Be Well On Your Way: Journey to a More Authentic You (Paperback)By Maiysha T Clairborne MD Click for more info Customer Rating: 
Customer tags: mind body spirit(90), self-help(90), empowerment(89), personal growth(88), healthy lifestyle(88), health(88), healthy living(85), healthy life(85), personal development(81), relationships(79), self esteem(35), self-improvement(35) Life On Your Terms: 7 Steps To a More Empowered You (Paperback) tagged “healthy lifestyle” 88 times
Wed, 26 Jan 2011 03:27:19 GMT
Life On Your Terms: 7 Steps To a More Empowered You (Paperback)By Maiysha T Clairborne MD Click for more info Customer Rating: 
Customer tags: self-help(91), empowerment(89), health(89), healthy living(88), healthy lifestyle(88), healthy life(87), personal development(86), mind body spirit(86), personal growth(84), relationships(81), self-improvement(41), self esteem(40) 'BMI Busters' Teaches Kids about Healthy Lifestyles – Plymouth …
The Plymouth Community Center is holding a four-week program to teach children about exercise and eating right. http://plymouthwhitemarsh.patch.com/articles/bmi-busters-teach-kids-about-healthy-lifestyles
Pajaro Valley gym teachers promote healthy lifestyle in crowded …
WATSONVILLE — Teens in yellow and black gym uniforms packed the fitness room at Watsonville High School on Monday afternoon, 48 of them pedaling stationary bikes, running on treadmills, punching bags, lifting kettle … http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/education/ci_22819002/pajaro-valley-gym-teachers-promote-healthy-lifestyle-crowded
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