How Can the Meals Your Dad Eats Cut His Health Care Costs?

Several behaviors impact the risk of developing a chronic health condition. People know that smoking can lead to lung cancer, emphysema, and COPD. People know that excessive drinking can damage the liver and raise the risk of certain cancers. Obesity is another issue that doesn’t get as much attention.

Home Health Care in Falls Church VA: Cutting Health Care Costs With Meals

In 2002, The People-to-People Health Foundation released a report on obesity.
In that report, they found that health care costs in obese people were estimated to be almost $400 higher per year. Those who were classified as overweight had health care costs that were estimated to be $125 higher each year. By 2011, those estimates had increased to $1,723 (obese) and $266 (overweight).

If your dad is overweight, he’s at risk of having higher insurance premiums. His health care costs may also be significantly higher. He can change this by changing his diet.

Avoid Processed Items

The first thing your dad should do is rid his cupboards, fridge, freezer, and pantry of processed foods. Not only are these foods often high in sodium, but they’re often full of fat and added sugar.

He may find frozen dinners, boxed dinner kits, and prepared sauces and dressings to be easier. They’re not healthier, however. He needs to stop using them and focus on whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and lean meats.

Skip Soda

While the FDA has approved artificial sweeteners like aspartame or sucralose, some experts feel the sweetness makes people crave sugar. Switching from sodas sweetened with corn syrup or sugar is not enough.

Your dad needs to switch to unsweetened beverages. If he isn’t in the mood for water, a glass of seltzer is better. He could also drink iced or hot herbal teas or decaffeinated coffee that have not had sugar or honey added.

He May Need Someone to Take Over Meal Preparation

If your dad struggles to prepare nutritious meals, he’s not the only one. Many seniors find chopping meats and vegetables to be challenging. Arthritis impacts the ability to safely hold a knife. If this is the case, senior care services can make sure he eats properly.

Caregivers can help your dad create a nutritious weekly menu. The senior care professional can cook all three meals for him and prepare delicious snacks that are good for him. Call a senior care agency to talk about other services that help your dad stay healthy.

Are you or a loved-one considering Home Health Care in Falls Church, VA?  Please call the caring staff at Medical Professionals On Call today. Contact: 703-273-8818

Sources:

Pdfs.semanticscholar.org

Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/Articles1

Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/Articles2

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Michelle DeFilippis

I graduated with a BS degree and had been selling medical equipment to hospitals, clinics and technicians. More recently, a family member was diagnosed with dementia and we, as a family, realized we were not prepared t care for her. We were thrown into that whirlpool of hospital stays, 24/7 live-in care, skilled care, caring for mom ourselves and finally, now daily home care. This was such a stressful time that I started thinking there had to be other people, other families as overwhelmed and unprepared as we were.

Medical Professionals On Call has such a caring, professional staff who are available to step in with whatever level of care necessary for loved ones and to relieve you of that stress.

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