Managing obesity in seniors can be a challenge for caregivers, as many factors have to be considered when it comes to caring for them and managing their weight.

Obesity in Seniors

Obesity brings increased health risks at any age. For seniors, this is even a bigger problem as it brings serious health conditions as well as increased likelihood for shortened life spans.

Obesity is often diagnosed when a person exceeds a certain body fat ratio or a given weight limit. This can be a wakeup call for you, as a caregiver, to help your elderly parent or family member, in managing obesity before it brings a plethora of other obesity-related diseases.

1. Provide specific reasons for losing weight as a motivation. Your elderly parent may already know that they are not just overweight, but obese. Understanding this difference is also crucial. Now, you have to keep them positive while helping them not be ashamed or embarrassed about themselves. Instead of focusing on the weight, turn the focus on health by telling them what the health consequences are. Provide positive reasons for them to not just lose weight, but to keep their body healthy.

2. Make exercising and any physical activity fun. This is the time to not let them have a sedentary lifestyle. Start them with short walks in parks or to their favorite places. Make this an engaging and fun experience for them. The key is to help make them active. Then, you may consider getting them into a light exercise routine, or better yet, a senior workout class.

If your senior parent has mobility issues, you may have a caregiver to help them out. Or bring them to us at Blessed Home. Here, your elderly parents will be in a safe, private, and engaging environment surrounded by other people that they can socialize with. They may even feel energized to be active and participate in the many scheduled activities there.

3. Experiment with different activities. Find workouts or activities that your elderly charge would like to do and sustain. When it comes to workouts, there are many kinds that can make them feel engaged, energized, and empowered. If they’re not into it, start them with other activities that can make them active, such as gardening, walking, swimming, or dancing.

4. Overhaul their diet. With the help of their physician or a dietitian, you can come up with a healthier meal plan for your elderly parent or loved one. Try to experiment with new recipes and take note of what they like best. Make it a family effort to plan and eat healthy food together.

5. Set up a system. This could be a goal-and-reward system wherein you positively motivate them to lose a certain weight within a specific time frame. In return, you can reward them with a treat, a trip, or a gift. You can then make this a progressive thing that can help them stay motivated and focused on the goal.

6. Provide encouraging feedback. Don’t resort to scare tactics. Understand that this may not be easy for them too. They would need to turn to you for emotional support. Praise them well when it’s due, and provide them encouragement when they are having a hard time. What is most important is that they don’t feel alone or isolated in this journey.

If you need help with your elderly loved one, especially when it comes to managing obesity, you can always talk to us at Blessed Home. We are experienced in providing tailor-made care to cater to the specific needs and conditions of the members of our elderly community.