Calcium deficiency can be challenging to diagnose, as it may not present with obvious symptoms. The best way to tell if your senior needs extra calcium in their diet or supplements is by talking to a doctor about the topic. The doctor will perform several tests to diagnose the seniors’ deficiencies. If your senior has any of these symptoms, it could be time to have elder care drive them to the doctor for a checkup.
- Bones that are weak and easily fractured
- Muscle cramps
- Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet
- Fatigue
- Poor appetite
- Dry skin
- Brittle nails
If a senior is experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek medical advice to determine whether calcium deficiency is the cause. If a doctor determines that a senior needs more calcium, you might wonder how you can help your senior. Luckily, you can try a few things, and a doctor will give you or elder care advice on how to care for your senior better. Here are some tips about getting more calcium in the diet.
How to Get More Calcium in the Diet
Calcium is a mineral that plays a vital role in many bodily functions. It helps to build strong bones and teeth, and is also necessary for nerve and muscle function, regulating blood pressure, and releasing hormones and enzymes. Unfortunately, your body loses calcium daily. This loss can occur through the skin, hair, nails, sweat, urine, and feces. The human body cannot synthesize calcium; thus, getting enough of this mineral from meals is essential. Here are some foods that can help get more of this essential mineral in your senior’s diet.
Dairy Products
Dairy products are a rich source of calcium because cows and other dairy animals absorb calcium from their diet and store it in their milk. This makes dairy products an excellent source of calcium for humans. If your senior can eat dairy without any adverse side effects, this is the number one way to get it through diet. However, if your senior is lactose intolerant, the side effects may not be worth the amount of calcium they get from dairy. Luckily other fruits and vegetables are filled with calcium.
Vegetables with Calcium
Vegetables high in calcium include kale, broccoli, collard greens, bok choy, spinach, okra, and Chinese cabbage. Other vegetables with smaller amounts of calcium include mustard greens, turnip greens, watercress, asparagus, and artichokes. All these can be prepared with the help of elder care and made into delicious meals. It is easier than you think to get extra calcium in your diet.
Fruits with Calcium
Fruits with a high calcium content include oranges, figs, and tangerines. Other fruits with smaller amounts of calcium include kiwi, grapefruit, guava, papaya, and apricots. Some dried fruits, such as dates and raisins, also contain calcium. If your senior has a sweet tooth, they may want to eat more fruits in their diet! However, some seniors focused on lowering their sugar intake may not want to overeat fruit. Also, some fruits can impact or have adverse effects on a senior’s medication. So, ask a doctor if it is okay for them to take certain fruits.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Elder Care in Belle Harbor, NY please contact the caring staff at Perfect Choice Senior Care today. Call (917) 920-6803
Perfect Choice Senior Care provides exceptional senior care services in Queens, Belle Harbor, Hunters Point, Brooklyn, Prospect Heights, Park Slope, Manhattan, Upper West Side, West Village, Upper East Side, Lower Manhattan and surrounding areas.
Their mission is focused on hiring individuals whose objectives are in line with their own.
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