For seniors who have been drinking beverages like coffee and soda for years, kicking the caffeine habit can be hard to do! And while it may not be an easy task for them, reducing their caffeine intake will have so many worthwhile benefits. Below we’re running through some of these benefits along with tips for you to help them cut the caffeine!

Decrease Side Effects

If you have ever drunk too much caffeine in one sitting, then you may already be familiar with the side effects. You might have the jitters (those shaky hands!), feel out of breath, have a racing heart, get a headache, or feel anxious. That’s how YOU may feel. Seniors are much more sensitive to caffeine thanks to the aging process, so if they have too much caffeine, the side effects are much more intense and harmful to their bodies. Cutting caffeine can help lessen these side effects.

Less Stress

When we drink caffeine, it increases our body’s production and release of cortisol which is also known as the stress hormone. More caffeine means more cortisol, and more cortisol means higher heart rate, blood pressure, blood glucose, muscle tension, and respiration. If you want to decrease your senior’s chances of experiencing these symptoms that come with stress, the answer is as simple as reducing the amount of caffeine they consume.

Tips to Cut the Caffeine

  • Cut off caffeine intake at least 4 hours prior to your senior’s bedtime. Seniors who still want to maintain their caffeine can do so during the day. This will help seniors who struggle with sleep disorders or other sleep issues.
  • Introduce your seniors to tasty alternatives in order to stay hydrated. Coffee, for example, is a diuretic, so it won’t dehydrate your senior. So, if they are relying on their coffee to stay hydrated, try a new drink like fruit-infused waters that can be equally as satisfying!
    • Bonus! If they really don’t want anything besides their coffee, you can try watering it down to add more hydration and dilute the caffeine.

Need more tips to keep your senior’s diet healthy? We’re here to help! Call Home Care Assistance today and talk to our experts.

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