Weight management is a journey. Whether you are looking to be a little healthier or you decided a bariatric surgery is your best option, Spring Hills is here to support you every step of the way toward achieving your goals.
Weight Management & Bariatric Care
Obesity is a chronic condition that affects more than one in three adults and about 17 percent of children and adolescents in the United States. More than one in three adults is overweight. Being overweight or obese increases your risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, fatty liver disease, kidney disease, and other health issues. The cause of obesity is complex and includes behavior, environment, genetic factors, education, economic situation, and sedentary lifestyle either by choice or due to disability.
Importance of Staying Active
Physical activity is safe for almost everyone. Being active may help you live longer and protect you from developing serious health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain types of cancer. Regular physical activity is linked to many health benefits, such as lower blood pressure and blood glucose, or blood sugar, healthy bones, muscles, and joints. Optimal physical activity as at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, such as brisk walking. You should also do muscle-strengthening activities at least 2 days a week.
Some great types of physical activity include:
- Walking
- Dancing
- Biking
- Swimming/Water Workouts
- Strength Training
- Mind & Body Exercises such as Yoga
However, don’t forget that every day activities hold importance in staying active. Standing, walking, or stretching in place while watching TV, taking the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator whenever you can and parking farther from where you are going are just some simple ways to incorporate more daily activity.
If you don’t feel right, stop your activity. If you have any of the following warning signs, stop and seek help right away: pain, tightness, or pressure in your chest or neck, shoulder, or arm extreme shortness of breath dizziness or sickness
Nutrition Tips
Healthy weight loss isn’t just about a “diet” or “program”. It’s about an ongoing lifestyle that includes long-term changes in daily eating and exercise habits. Having an understanding of what you should eat and how to portion size varies for everyone and is a key factor in your personal health. We recommend talking to a dietician or a nutritionist to determine the best course of action for you.
Keep in mind that you don’t have to give up all your favorite foods when you’re trying to lose weight. Small amounts of your favorite high-calorie foods may be part of your weight-loss plan. Just remember to keep track of the total calories you take in. General practice in losing weight is that you must burn more calories than you take in through food and beverages.
Some tips to try:
- Read food labels
- Understand serving sizes and portion sizes
- Track food intake
- Speak with a professional
Bariatric Surgery
Bariatric surgery becomes an option if you have severe obesity and have not been able to lose enough weight to improve your health using other methods or have serious obesity-related health problems. The surgery makes the stomach smaller and sometimes changes the small intestine. In the United States, surgeons use three types of bariatric operations most often: gastric band, gastric bypass, and gastric sleeve. Bariatric surgery may cause side effects right after surgery or later. Side effects may include infection, diarrhea, nutritional shortages, gallstones, and hernias.
Caring for Bariatric Residents
At Spring Hills we understand the challenges of Bariatric patients due to their size, as well as co-morbid conditions associated with obesity, including hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, obstructive sleep apnea, depression, anxiety, joint pain, and limited mobility—all of which increase the risk of complications and greater risk for hospital readmissions.
We provide quality and respectful care in a safe manner. Our associates are trained to understand the appropriate body mechanics, use of equipment and safe techniques to keep themselves and residents safe. Understanding the weight capacity of all our equipment, including beds, bedside chairs, scales, wheelchairs, toilets, bedside commodes and carts is essential.
Having all of the necessities to care for bariatric residents is just the beginning. Our associates are trained in all of the best practices for maintaining resident dignity and independence throughout their journey with us. It is essential that we are able to keep these residents motivated and feeling respected as they navigate their road to recovery. From everyday task management to physical therapy and nutritional programs and education, we are right there for support. As always, we strive to provide the highest quality care to each and every resident.
Weight management is a journey. Whether you are looking to be a little healthier or you decided a bariatric surgery is your best option, Spring Hills is here to support you every step of the way toward achieving your goals.
At Spring Hills Senior Communities, we are proud to continue to serve you through the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. To learn more, contact your local community.