---
title: "3 Significant Ways Caregivers Can Help Seniors Stay Independent"
date: 2023-04-25
author: "Laurie Stroud"
featured_image: "https://birminghamchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/bigstock-Asian-Young-Woman-Nurse-Pills-466732149.jpg"
categories:
  - name: "Health"
    url: "/category/news/health.md"
tags:
  - name: "Featured"
    url: "/tag/featured.md"
  - name: "Featured - Health"
    url: "/tag/featured-health.md"
---

# 3 Significant Ways Caregivers Can Help Seniors Stay Independent

**Senior Scene**

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), [**72 million Americans will be 65 years of age by 2030. That number is expected to reach 83.7 million by 2050**](https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5206a2.htm#:~:text=The%20number%20of%20persons%20aged,million%20in%202030%20(3).). While advances in medical science are clearly helping people live well into their 80s, 90s, and beyond, longevity brings its own set of challenges that may result in a loss of independence. Among them are chronic disease, cognitive impairment, [**falls leading to broken bones**](https://www.amadaseniorcare.com/2022/05/osteoporosis-a-silent-destroyer-of-senior-overall-health/), poor nutrition, and more. So, in what ways do professional caregivers help ensure seniors maintain a lifestyle that allows them to stay independent?

**1. Focusing on Senior Nutrition.** Like most things that “go,” the human body requires adequate, consistent, high-quality fuel. This takes the form of healthy food that must be shopped for, prepared, and of course consumed. Today, there are usually in-store food shopper options and a variety of store-generated or outside delivery choices that will help seniors acquire the food items they need. There is usually an extra charge, but nothing beats the convenience of a service that helps provide consistently good nutrition. And while diet can’t always stave off chronic disease, a healthy body has a better chance of presenting a strong immune defense when illness strikes.

**2. Exercise and Other Activities to Keep Up Senior Physical Health.** For adults, [**the National Institute on Aging (NIA) recommends 150 minutes a week (2.5 hours)**](https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/how-older-adults-can-get-started-exercise) of moderate intensity aerobic exercise (walking; jogging; cycling; dancing), with strength training two days a week. That said, the same guidelines state that any exercise is better than none, so if a senior doesn’t consistently hit the mark, some movement is still recommended. This is where, following a healthcare provider’s sanctioned plan, trained caregivers can make a difference in the quest for independence by encouraging a client to get up, out, and move.

**3. Medication Monitoring Key to Senior Independence.** Staying current on prescription medication and vitamin supplements can mean the difference between a healthy life and a decline or hospitalization that results from neglectful medication management. A decline in mental acuity can sometimes cause forgetfulness as well. In this respect the caregivers can provide constant monitoring and reminders so doses are not missed, noting and reporting when a prescription needs to be refilled, and reporting changes in the client’s mental and physical health, mobility, and other issues—some of which may be a reaction to medication.

As seniors age, helping them maintain a good quality of life requires support in many areas. The role that a family caregiver or a professional caregiver play is invaluable and integral to a healthy, independent lifestyle.

*[![Len Everts](https://birminghamchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Screen-Shot-2022-12-27-at-2.28.41-PM-168x300.jpg "Len Everts")](https://birminghamchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Screen-Shot-2022-12-27-at-2.28.41-PM.jpg)-Len Everts*

*Amada Senior Care*

[*www.amadabirmingham.com*](http://www.amadabirmingham.com)