Whether your mother is in her retirement years, or you’re a mother whose adult children worry about you (they can’t help it!), this is a great time of year to talk about mom wellness.
Every mom wants to age well. That means taking good care of the mind and body by staying active, practicing healthy habits, and taking steps to prevent illness and injury.
This Mother’s Day, every mom can plan for a healthier, happier future and maintain her independence for years to come by following these 6 tips – possibly with some help from her LifeGlider!
Everyone knows they’re supposed to eat healthy. But if all it took to eat healthy was knowing that we’re supposed to, we’d all be in the best of shape!
1. Eat Well (Not Just “Healthy”)
Eating well is a better idea. It’s about eating healthy and enjoying food. Eating well involves:
Mindful Eating
It can be discouraging to look at nutrition labels if all you’re looking at is the number of calories in each serving. But being more aware helps you avoid overeating/undereating, appreciate the nutrients and really take the time to savor your food, helping you enjoy it more.
Rainbow Diet
A variety of color in your diet is good for two reasons. The way food looks is as important to our enjoyment as the way it tastes and smells. We enjoy food more when it’s colorful. As a bonus, a rainbow diet also tends to be a healthy diet, including a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Flavor
It takes work to make food flavorful, but flavor is essential to eating well. The more you prepare healthy foods with delicious spices, even if it’s just a little salt and pepper (but not too much salt), the more motivated you’ll be to keep these foods in your diet.
2. Take Medicines, Vitamins and Supplements As Directed
Have you ever taken a couple more pills than the label tells you to? It may be common to do this, especially among over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and supplements, but the possible negative consequences can be worse as you get older.
Even something as everyday as acetaminophen (Tylenol, for example) can damage your liver if you take too much. Taking too many vitamins can cause nausea, diarrhea and other problems. Certain supplements can cause kidney failure if you take too much.
There are many ways for medications, vitamins and supplements to interact with each other in adverse ways, too. That’s why, in addition to following instructions on labels, you should always talk to a doctor about what you’re taking and ask how much is okay.
3. Get Screened and Vaccinated
As Benjamin Franklin said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Moms need to take recommended screenings for common women’s health issues seriously.
Some tests aren’t relevant for everyone. Physicians will make different recommendations depending on lifestyle, age, or whether they observe certain warning signs. Other tests should be routine for everyone as we age, like blood pressure checks.
Screenings you might ask your doctor about include:
- Breast Cancer (Mammogram)
- Colon Cancer
- Diabetes
- Cholesterol
- Bone Health
- Depression
- Hearing and Vision
- Sexually-transmitted Infections
It’s also important to stay vaccinated against common ailments. First and foremost (at the time of writing) is the COVID-19 vaccine. In addition:
- Annual flu vaccination
- Tetanus shot every 10 years
- Shingles vaccine after age 60
- Pneumonia vaccine (ask your doctor)
There’s no longer any doubt. Smoking is bad for moms (everybody, really!), as is any type of tobacco use. It’s also tough to quit. Thankfully, there are resources to help.
4. No Smoking, Less Drinking
Alcohol is a different story. Heavy drinking can cause problems, but alcohol is okay for most adults in moderation. The good news for older moms who drink is that the recommended consumption limit for older women is pretty much the same as it is for younger women.
That amount is 1 drink or less per day, or 7 drinks total in a week, where “one drink” means:
- 12 ounces of beer
- 5 ounces of wine
- 1.5 ounces of hard liquor (one shot)
Again, you should always talk to your doctor about alcohol consumption, especially if you’re taking medications that may be less effective when you drink.
5. Stay Mentally and Socially Active
To remain sharp, the human mind needs to be engaged and challenged on a regular basis. Moms in their retirement years can no longer rely on work to keep their minds active. They have to seek out new mental stimulation.
There are many ways to do it, whether individually or socially:
- Take a class
- Join a book club or discussion group
- Do puzzles (any kind – word, math, jigsaw, etc.)
- Play brain games
- Volunteer for mentally challenging work
Maintaining mental and social activity may help prevent dementia and related conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease in later years.
6. Stay Physically Active
Physical activity helps us stay mentally and physically healthy as we age, and helps moms maintain their independence in later years.
It’s not just about exercise. There are great benefits to workouts such as lifting weights, but any type of movement is helpful. Just walking at a brisk pace for 30 minutes per day can help you stay healthy.
Regular physical activity can help:
- Improve Mood
- Maintain Healthy Weight
- Stay Heart Healthy
- Strengthen Bones
All of this is essential to help moms maintain their ability to take care of themselves. An active lifestyle means a stronger body, which in turn means a body that is more stable, less apt to fall, with bones less likely to fracture.
For those who are already more likely to fall due to a mobility impairment, the right mobility aid can restore the ability to engage in physical exercise.
(We know just the thing!)
Is It Time to Get Mom a LifeGlider?
If the main reason your mom (or you) can’t engage in regular physical activity is the risk of falling, this Mother’s Day may be the best time to get her a LifeGlider!
The LifeGlider is designed to help people who are able to stand and walk, but who are unsteady on their feet, practice all these tips that lead to healthy, happy years.
That includes the ability to stay physically active without fear of falling, which is exactly what the fall-safe LifeGlider offers!
Questions? Just reach out. And have a very happy Mother’s Day!
Did you know? You may be eligible for monthly installments! LifeGlider can be financed for six (6) months. Note that financing is provided by Klarna, and if you do not already have an account with them, you will be asked to complete an application. Select the Buy Now, Pay Later option during checkout if you’d like the monthly installment option.
