How can retirement communities in Manasota Key, FL, help maintain residents’ health? You may be aware of the myriad benefits that come with living in a retirement community – such as having your housekeeping and maintenance taken care of, a roster of activities to enjoy with peers, and more. But did you know that retirement communities can also help maintain your immune system? As we age, we are more prone to developing complications from infections. It’s therefore important that we take pre-emptive steps to strengthen our immune systems to help avoid diseases such as the common cold. Read on to find out exactly how retirement communities can boost residents’ health.
Up-to-Date Vaccinations
Vaccinations provide protection from many serious diseases such as pertussis, tetanus, and pneumonia. An annual flu shot also helps ward off more “everyday” illnesses. Remember that even something as seemingly innocuous as the cold can lead to dangerous developments if your immune system has been weakened from age. It is thus important to ensure that your vaccinations are always up-to-date. Retirement communities ensure that their residents have the opportunity to be vaccinated where necessary and/or recommended. For instance, the pneumonia vaccine is highly recommended for those above 65 years of age.
Ensuring a Balanced Diet
A healthy diet rich in essential nutrients helps promote a strong immune system. Avoiding deep-fried foods, foods that are too sugary, rich in trans fat, and more is also an important part of keeping a healthy diet. An overload of sugar and other unsavory elements can limit the ability of immune cells to fight bacteria. Retirement communities thus provide dining options that are both delicious and nutritious, with menus that emphasize ingredients such as vegetables and fruits rich in essential minerals and vitamins such as Vitamin A, C, and E. They also include protein sources such as lean meat, yogurt, or milk. Retirement communities with an emphasis on promoting a comfortable, healthy, and welcoming dining experience will provide hearty meals that make good use of such ingredients.
Get Enough Rest
Cytokines are the proteins that fight against infection and inflammation. Not getting enough sleep can staunch the production of cytokine, compromising your body’s ability to fight against any diseases. A lack of quality sleep also leaves you sluggish and unable to enjoy your day to the fullest. Retirement communities encourage their residents to get a good night’s sleep so they can be active and healthy.
Control Stress
It is impossible to completely remove stress from your life. However, there are countless outlets and activities that allow you to minimize your stress and improve your immune system. Stress can also affect your physical health as it releases corticosteroid, a hormone that lessens the number of white blood cells in your body. These cells are vital in building your immunity. Through amenities that are designed to promote relaxation, as well as health programs that provide multiple outlets for relief of frustration or anxiety, retirement communities are built to help their residents cope with stress when they need to.
