High blood pressure is one of the most common and dangerous health problems in the elderly. The disease often has no obvious symptoms in the early stages, but if not well controlled, it can cause serious complications such as stroke, heart attack, kidney failure or heart failure. Therefore, preventing and controlling high blood pressure is not only the responsibility of the patient but also requires the care of family members, especially children and grandchildren, who are close and can support grandparents every day.
Here are some practical and effective things to do:
1. Help grandparents monitor and record blood pressure daily
Regularly monitoring blood pressure is a simple but very effective way to detect abnormalities early. However, many elderly people may have difficulty using a blood pressure monitor or forget to record the results.
Relatives can:
- Buy an automatic, easy-to-use electronic blood pressure monitor and place it in a convenient place in the house.
- Instruct and support grandparents to measure their blood pressure every day, especially in the morning and evening.
- Record the results in a blood pressure monitoring book or use a phone application (if children can manage it).
- Note unusual signs such as dizziness, headache, palpitations, and take grandparents to the doctor if necessary.
Close monitoring will help the doctor have enough information to provide appropriate and timely treatment regimens.
2. Support a scientific diet, low in salt and high in vegetables
Diet has a direct impact on blood pressure. Elderly people often have the habit of eating salty foods, preferring strong dishes, while this is the main cause of high blood pressure. Children in the family should be the ones to proactively adjust the menu and how to prepare dishes accordingly.
Things to do include:
- Cook bland food, reduce salt, fish sauce, seasoning powder in daily meals.
- Increase green vegetables, fresh fruits, foods rich in potassium (bananas, potatoes, oranges, spinach).
- Limit fried and greasy dishes, replace them with steamed, boiled or lightly grilled dishes.
- Do not let your grandparents eat salty dishes such as pickles, cold cuts, canned foods, salty broths, etc.
- Limit red meat, increase fish and tofu intake, supplement vegetable protein.
- Encourage your grandparents to drink enough water, avoid dehydration, the cause of low blood pressure or fatigue.
3. Encourage your grandparents to do light physical exercise every day
Regular exercise helps increase circulation, reduce cardiovascular pressure, improve mental health and help control weight. However, many elderly people are reluctant to exercise or are afraid of falling, at this time, the role of children and grandchildren is extremely important.
Things that relatives should do at this time:
- Walk with your grandparents every morning or afternoon, both exercising and chatting.
- Sign your grandparents up for a health class, yoga, qigong or senior clubs.
- Encourage light exercise at home, such as stretching, light stair climbing, gardening, etc.
- Prepare a safe environment for exercise, such as not having slippery floors, having handrails on stairs, etc.
The companionship of relatives will motivate and help grandparents maintain long-term exercise habits.
4. Take care of sleep and mental health
Sleep and mental health greatly affect blood pressure. Elderly people often have difficulty sleeping, are easily irritable or depressed if they feel lonely.
Children and grandchildren need to pay attention to:
- Create a quiet, cool sleeping environment, avoid noise and strong light.
- Do not let your grandparents sleep too much during the day, avoid insomnia at night.
- Suggest that your grandparents participate in gentle activities before going to bed such as listening to music, reading, meditating.
- Spend time talking and listening to your grandparents share every day, especially in the evening.
- Encourage your grandparents, avoid scolding or making them sad, because stress is a common cause of high blood pressure.
Family is the best mental medicine for the elderly, and is an important factor in controlling blood pressure.
5. Help your grandparents use medication properly and have regular check-ups
If your grandparents have been diagnosed with high blood pressure and have a prescription, taking the correct dose and on time is mandatory. However, many elderly people often forget or stop taking their medication when they feel better.
Relatives should:
- Remind your grandparents to take their medication on time every day, you can divide the medication into a daily box.
- Explain to your spouse the importance of taking medication long-term even if you have no symptoms.
- Arrange a time to take your spouse for regular check-ups, bring your blood pressure monitoring book for your doctor to review.
- Do not change medication on your own or follow unverified folk remedies.
Supporting the proper use of medication is very effective in preventing dangerous complications such as stroke and myocardial infarction.
6. Create a healthy living environment and a moderate lifestyle
A peaceful, clean, and tidy living environment will help the elderly feel comfortable and relaxed.
Things that relatives should do are as follows:
- Avoid exposing the elderly to cigarette smoke, including secondhand smoke.
- Limit alcohol, coffee, and strong tea if the elderly have this habit.
- Arrange a reasonable schedule, eat and sleep on time, and get enough rest.
- Create conditions for the elderly to participate in social activities, such as neighborhood meetings, senior clubs, temple visits, etc.
A moderate, healthy lifestyle is not only good for blood pressure but also helps the elderly live happily, healthily, and usefully.
Healthy blood pressure in the elderly is not a distant dream, if the whole family works together to take care of them. Children and grandchildren are important spiritual and physical support, and can contribute greatly to supporting health monitoring, adjusting diet, encouraging exercise, providing mental care and ensuring proper medication for grandparents. Love, constant care and practical actions from relatives are the most effective and sustainable natural remedies to help grandparents maintain stable blood pressure and live happily and healthily every day.
