When your elderly loved one gets older, you will want to do everything possible to reduce the risk of diseases or anything else that could complicate their lives. One of the sad truths about getting older is that there is a chance for things like cataracts to develop, and if they are not treated, they can lead to blindness.
However, not every senior will develop cataracts, and there may be some steps you can take to keep your eyes healthier. Unfortunately, there have been no proven ways to completely eliminate the risk of cataracts, but there are steps you and your senior home care provider can help your seniors take to remain overall healthy, which will play a huge role.
What Are Cataracts?
Cataracts are a clouding of the eye’s lens that can cause vision impairment. They can be caused by aging, ultraviolet radiation, or certain medications and can be treated surgically. It is a risk for every older adult, but surgeries are common and not as life-threatening as other procedures. So it’s best if you don’t panic after a cataract diagnosis.
If you or senior home care is looking for ways to help reduce the risk, there may be some things you can do. Have your senior start taking vitamin C or eating foods with vitamin C. Vitamin C’s antioxidant and defensive characteristics may help to keep the lens clear and prevent cataract development. Manganese has also been found to be an important micronutrient in cataract prevention.
Dietary changes can help reduce the risk of cataracts. For example, eating a healthy, balanced diet rich in essential nutrients and vitamins, such as vitamin C and vitamin E can help protect your eyes and reduce developing cataracts. Additionally, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, and protecting your eyes from UV rays can help reduce the risk of cataracts.
Foods Rich in Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin naturally present in some foods. It is an antioxidant that helps protect eye cells from free radicals and other environmental toxins. Vitamin C plays a role in the production of collagen, a protein essential for the cornea’s structure. Additionally, vitamin C plays a role in the absorption of iron, which is necessary to transport oxygen to the retina. Here are some foods filled with vitamin C. Senior home care can help ensure seniors have these foods on hand to snack on throughout the day.
- Orange Juice
- Tomato Juice
- Strawberries
- Guava
- Peaches
- Grapefruit Juice
- Red Peppers
- Green Peppers
All these fruits and vegetables are packed full of antioxidants and vitamins to help keep your senior loved one healthy. They can be made into dishes or eaten raw as a snack. A lot of these fruits can be cut up and added on top of yogurt or granola for breakfast!
Where to Find Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that is important for many processes in the body. It is an antioxidant, which means it helps protect cells from damage. Many people believe this vitamin helps protect the eyes from macular degeneration. Here are some foods with vitamin E to snack on:
- Red bell peppers
- Almonds
- Sunflower Oil
- Peanuts
- Beet Greens
These foods can be great to add to a senior’s diet and are easily prepared with the help of senior home care. But, it’s time to focus on diet to ensure your senior stays as healthy as possible.
For more information about how caregivers at La Jolla Nurses Homecare can help your aging parents stay in their own homes, call 858-454-9339. We are a home care agency providing quality and affordable Senior Home Care in San Diego, CA, and the surrounding communities
Today we are the oldest and most experienced private duty agency in San Diego County.She saw a need for quality private duty home health care and she worked diligently to build an agency that filled that need.I am proud to say, her vision is carried on today with our dedicated staff.
I believe our tenure in the community speaks well for us.We have had the opportunity to be of service to countless interesting individuals, including local and worldwide celebrities.It is the people we care for that makes this a fascinating industry.Whether high profile or a more ordinary citizen, we are proud that thousands have entrusted us with their care or the care of their loved ones.Our Mission is to provide high quality, very secure and the most compassionate home health care.We believe that patients heal faster and are happiest when they can stay in their homes.”
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