Cholesterol is a type of fat found in all cells. And while people can manage cholesterol levels with diet changes and exercise, medication is sometimes needed to control too high levels.
In this article, we’ll explore how assisted living in Mississippi can help residents manage their cholesterol levels and prevent chronic conditions like heart disease from developing in the future.
Provide Healthy Meals and Snacks
Come mealtime, you won’t want to settle for a frozen pizza or ask your care team to order in. Assisted living communities likely offer healthy and nutritious meals that chefs on-site prepare. Some communities also have specific dining areas designed to help residents with dementia who have trouble finding their way around the building or recognizing their surroundings.
Some homes offer special diets, such as low-sodium or gluten-free options, depending on a resident’s needs and preferences. In addition, there are often restaurants nearby where you can take your family members out to eat. You can even enjoy a night out with the other community residents, which is an excellent way to get outside of yourself while still staying active!
Assisted living communities also offer a variety of snacks throughout the day so that you never feel hungry between meals (or end up eating more than necessary just because). This way, you can satisfy cravings without overdoing it—and stay healthy overall!
Offer Cooking Classes and Nutrition Education
Cooking classes and nutrition education are essential to assisted living communities’ lifestyles. Cooking classes are a great way to learn new recipes while learning how nutrition can help you make better decisions about what you eat.
Nutrition is vital for managing cholesterol levels, as it teaches people how food affects their health and overall health goals. For example, perhaps you’re trying to reduce your cholesterol level by eating less animal fats or fats from certain kinds of meat (such as pork). Cooking classes will teach you how to adjust your diet accordingly so your cholesterol level doesn’t increase too much during this process.
Encourage Activity with Daily Health Check-Ins
If you’re caring for a loved one with high cholesterol, keeping tabs on their health is important. Assisted living communities offer a variety of ways to do so.
Like any medication or treatment plan, checking in regularly is an essential part of the process. Ask your doctor when they last saw your loved one and what they said about their condition. But how often should you check in?
This depends on how well they respond to treatment. Once every month is generally considered sufficient for most patients taking statins (cholesterol-lowering medication).
How do you know if your loved one needs more frequent monitoring? During your check-ins, look out for these signs:
- Bruising
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Wheezing sounds while talking
- Unusual weakness or fatigue
- Muscle aches and pains
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea that lasts longer than three days
- Constipation that lasts longer than two weeks (this can cause hard stools rather than soft)
- Eonfusion or memory loss (especially if it’s accompanied by other symptoms seen above)
- Unexplained weight loss greater than 10% over six months
They Provide Education And Counseling
In addition to physical care, assisted living communities can provide aging family members with the education and counseling they need to manage their cholesterol levels. Once the aging family member educates themselves on improving their cholesterol level, they can get counseling on maintaining that improvement. This can help prevent problems from occurring in the future and prevent any serious issues from developing.
Conclusion
Assisted living communities may be just what you need if you’re looking for a way to help manage your cholesterol level. The care they offer allows residents to live more independently while also caring for their health needs.
