Coconut oil provides aging adults with many benefits, including alleviating mental and physical conditions and boosting cognitive abilities. Adding coconut oil to your senior loved one’s diet may even slow the progression of Alzheimer’s. This oil is considered a heart-healthy superfood that’s free of cholesterol and trans fats. Here are some of the benefits of coconut oil for seniors who are living with Alzheimer’s disease.
Boosts Energy
Seniors with Alzheimer’s disease generally have difficulty sleeping at night. The less active your loved one’s day is, the more likely he or she is to be awake at night. Coconut oil boosts thyroid function in seniors, which leads to increased energy. Your loved one will be more energized and ready to participate in physical activities such as dancing, exercising, crafting, and running errands with family caregivers. When you plan active days for your loved one, you can prevent issues like sundowning and disruptive sleep patterns.
Providing care for an aging adult with Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other cognitive health condition can be overwhelming at times. If you’re the primary family caregiver for an elderly loved one and need additional assistance providing high-quality elderly home care, Assisting Hands Home Care can help. We are a leading home care agency committed to helping seniors live longer and healthier lives.
Acts as an Antioxidant
Oxidative stress can cause unhealthy changes in the brain, especially for seniors living with Alzheimer’s disease. This type of stress leads to an attack on the brain by free radicals, but antioxidants help the brain fight against oxidative damage.
Free radicals are a part of normal functioning. Therefore, your loved one’s brain will be attacked regularly by free radicals, which is why he or she should consume foods and oils full of antioxidants to prevent this damage. Consuming coconut oil can boost mood and slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
Increases Good Cholesterol Levels
Seniors can keep their brains active and sharp by eating healthy foods full of “good” (HDL) cholesterol. Coconut oil is free of “bad” (LDL) cholesterol and trans fats, which makes it a good choice for seniors who want to eat healthy.
Eating this superfood can boost brain health and slow the progression of Alzheimer’s. Coconut oil can clear the beta-amyloid protein that accumulates in the brains of seniors living with Alzheimer’s disease. HDL also helps seniors lower their risk of strokes. Having a stroke could cause your loved one to experience cognitive decline at a faster rate.
Recovering from a stroke, managing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, and a variety of other health-related situations can make it difficult for a senior to continue living at home without someone there to help. There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to address if their families opt for professional senior care. You can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep your loved one safe and comfortable while aging in place.
Increases the Body’s Insulin
Diabetes causes many complications for older adults, such as damage to their blood vessels. If your loved one is living with Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes may make the condition worse. Low insulin levels could lead to brain cell atrophy, neurofibrillary tangles, and amyloid plaques, which are all major hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease. Therefore, your loved one will need to eat healthy, exercise, and avoid stressful situations to increase his or her insulin levels.
Alzheimer’s can be challenging for seniors to manage without assistance, and it can be just as challenging for families who don’t have experience in providing homecare services. Assisting Hands Home Care Monmouth provides Alzheimer’s care seniors and their families can depend on. Our caregivers help seniors with Alzheimer’s and other memory-related conditions live happier and healthier lives. Call one of our friendly Care Specialists to learn about ways our experienced caregivers can help your loved one.
