We are living in a fast-paced world, which is more complex and dynamic than ever before. We often feel that many of our traditions have no significance amidst a global culture. Being a season of festivities and spending time with our families and friends, it is interesting to look back at the practices of our elders and understand how they can still add value to our lives now, and in the foreseeable future. If you are looking at elder care services in Kolkata, you should acquaint yourself with these healthcare traditions.
Series I – Food
Intermittent Fasting – The amalgamation of art, science and religion
Its time we gave the practice of fasting, the respect and following it deserves. Proven to work for good health and longevity, it needs to become a part of our modern day lives for the benefits it offers. Several recognized studies have found that intermittent fasting improves Diabetes management by lowering blood glucose and reducing Insulin resistance. It also positively influences heart health by lowering Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, Triglycerides, and even heart rate. Fasting is known to reduce inflammation of the brain and therefore lowers the risk of degenerative disorders such as Dementia and Parkinson’s. Tackling difficult diseases like these is absolutely crucial when it comes to elder care services in Kolkata.
Taking care of the elderly, especially those with issues with dementia. Source: FT.com
Since fasting controls obesity, as well as inflammation, its impact on the risk of cancer is believed to be significant but further studies are required to determine the extent of its effect on malignancies. Many seniors prefer to skip dinner frequently by default and this should not be discouraged. Rather, an early dinner by 7 pm, which is light and easily digestible is recommended to ensure that the elderly fast for 12 hours on a regular basis provided this is approved by their doctors. This intersection of art, science and religion should be utilized to the max when it comes to elder care services in Kolkata.
Eating with our hands – A sensory delight
There are multiple benefits of eating with our hands, not the least of which is having fewer utensils to clean! Science is now waking up to the benefits of using our hands to eat. Our hands have the sensory receptors for temperature, pressure, texture etc. to sense food before it reaches our mouths. The visual as well as sensory stimulation improves appetite. Also, hands can control food portions as well as mix or segregate food items according to our preference without needing additional co-ordination skills. For seniors suffering from neurological diseases such as stroke, or Alzheimer’s, hand feeding has been known to improve their mood, and compliance.
Elder care services includes dementia care and providing companionship
The practice of hand-washing before and after having food ensures clean hands and healthy eating habits. Also, the continued use of hands for activities such as feeding by the elderly can maintain their grip and their hand eye co-ordination which is important for independent living. One must realize that there are differences in Eastern and Western traditions and therefore it makes little sense to impose the Western ways of life on our traditional ways. Eating with hand brings with it the dimension of sensory delight and therefore aids in the process of digestion massively.
The remaining parts of the series can be found here and here.