VA Home Care Program – January 19th-25th is Healthy Weight Week!
Everyone has what is called a ‘healthy weight.’ This is an ideal weight for the particular height, body build, and age. For veterans who require home care, it is just as important for them to know what their healthy weight is as for anyone else.
The week of January 19th through the 25th is known as Healthy Weight Week, so it’s a good idea to begin talking about this with the veteran you know, especially an elderly individual who may require home care of some form.
How to determine a person’s healthy weight.
There are many resources that can be found online to help somebody determine what their healthy weight should be. Obesity is a growing problem throughout the United States and around the world, especially in first world countries. As people age, the health risks associated with being overweight, underweight, or obese increase.
An elderly individual who may be considered overweight or obese may have more joint related problems and even diabetes.
The individual can also speak to his or her primary care physician to find out what their healthy weight should be.
What to do if the veteran learns that he or she is overweight, or even underweight?
The most important thing for anybody when they realize they are overweight is to look at ways to shed those extra pounds. The most important thing is to shed weight in a healthy manner.
Using diet fads, stopping eating for a period of time, cutting out meals, or relying on fat burning supplements that can be found at any nutritional store are not optimal. In fact, there are many side effects and potential health risks associated with far too many fat burning supplements that it’s best to stay away from them altogether.
The best thing to do is change one’s diet to a more well-rounded, nutritious one. Cut out junk food, carbohydrates, and especially foods that are high in calories. Also getting the proper level of exercise is crucial for shedding pounds as well as improving heart strength, getting oxygen flowing throughout the body, and much more.
Any veteran who relies on home care should be focused on doing what’s best for his or her body. They may feel rundown, fatigued too easily, or even depressed. Exercise and eating healthier can help change these aspects of their life. It can also have a tremendous benefit on how they feel in the long run.
For more information and to learn about Veterans Aid and Attendance Pension Benefit, contact Veteran’s Home Care at (888) 314-6075.
