Breaking up with caffeine can be a challenge, but it can be so much healthier to start a new relationship with a balanced senior diet! We’re not saying that your senior loved one should have to entirely cut out caffeine from their life, but at least reducing their intake comes with numerous health benefits, both physically and mentally. Read on below as we run through some of our favorite health benefits and tips that can help your senior kick caffeine to the curb. 

Decrease Side Effects

What’s your caffeinated beverage of choice? Coffee? Tea? Redbull? No matter what you prefer, if you drink too much in one sitting, you’re going to experience the unpleasant side effects: the jitters, a racing heart, feeling out of breath, headaches, and feeling anxious. That’s how YOU will feel. But your senior, who is more susceptible to the side effects of caffeine, will feel these much more intensely at their age. Too much caffeine can be harmful to seniors, but fortunately, preventing these side effects is as easy as reducing their caffeine consumption. 

Less Stress

Unfortunately, there is another, lesser known side effect of drinking too much caffeine: Cortisol. Cortisol is commonly referred to as the stress hormone, and for good reason! The more caffeine we consume, the more cortisol our bodies produce and release. This leads to symptoms like increased blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, blood glucose, and respiration. If your senior seems to be stressed out, the answer to reduce their stress could be as easy as reducing their caffeine intake.

Tips to Cut the Caffeine

• Let your senior get in their reduced caffeine intake during the day – no issues there. But try to cut off all caffeine consumption at least 4 hours prior to their bedtime. This will help them get more restful and uninterrupted sleep, especially if they suffer from any sleep disorder.
• If your senior struggles to get enough water in outside of their coffee or tea, you can try introducing them to some caffeine-free (yet tasty!) alternatives instead. A great example is fruit-infused water.
  • Here’s a bonus tip! If they are really reluctant to give up the coffee, don’t fret. We recommend just adding a little extra water to their cup to help them hydrate and dilute the caffeine.  

For more helpful tips and advice about keeping your senior’s diet healthy, please feel free to give us a call at Senior Care at Home. Schedule your consultation and talk with our senior care experts today!