Maximizing Life Spans & Optimizing Health Spans for Seniors

We’re excited to announce the Plaza Life Protocol, a new medically-backed program designed to maximize the life span and optimize the health span for older adults. Using the latest research, we’ve put together strategies aimed at improving the aging process and reducing the risk of age-related illnesses, specifically the top five chronic diseases: heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lower respiratory infection, cancer, and dementia.

Overcoming Frailty

Frailty is the biggest threat to the life span and health span of older people—something we know first-hand. It’s a condition that includes debility, exhaustion, diminished walking speed, inadvertent weight loss, and less engagement in physical activity. It can make seniors more likely to fall, break bones, end up hospitalized, and lose independence. To help our residents overcome frailty, we use a holistic plan focused on four fundamental pillars: exercise, nutrition, stress reduction, and hydration.

Exercise

Exercise is fundamental to this program. Older adults often deal with loss of muscle mass and strength. But through progressive resistance exercise, we can actually reverse the loss of muscle mass, greatly enhancing overall health. Not only that, but this specific form of training has been shown to reduce the impact of age-related metabolic diseases in older people. Find out more about exercise here.

Nutrition

As we age, our nutritional needs evolve. For seniors, a diet that is rich in protein is most beneficial. It helps improve muscle health, reduce age-related muscle loss, and support maintenance during low-energy times. Moreover, reducing fructose goes a long way toward promoting protein synthesis. We take all this into account when planning our dining menu. Find out more about nutrition here.

Stress Reduction 

Stress is natural. On the other hand, too much stress can lead to a range of metabolic illnesses. Our goal is to shape everyday life at The Plaza around activities that promote overall well-being. This includes arts and crafts, playing games, singing, or even playing a musical instrument. This active form of socialization has been shown to reduce loneliness as well as stress. Find out more about stress reduction here.  

Hydration

Staying hydrated is essential for maintaining good health. This is especially true for older adults, who are at a higher risk of dehydration. It’s a risk that’s been known to contribute to several health problems including type 2 diabetes and heart disease. That’s why our staff go the extra mile to ensure every resident drinks plenty of fluids—especially water—throughout the day. Find out more about hydration here.

A Final Note

As you know, aging is complex. A number of factors contribute to disease and frailty. The Plaza Life Protocol isn’t designed to replace traditional medical care. On the other hand, it’s to act as a supplement. Our strategy is to help older adults improve their overall health by targeting the underlying problems and perhaps avoid or delay having to take additional medication. Our mission is to ensure all our residents live as long as possible with the best quality of life.

For more information, or to book a tour, contact our friendly staff at The Plaza Assisted Living.