Try This: 7 Things I’m Doing To Keep My Parents Healthy As They Get Older

You might have experienced this subtle (or not so subtle) shift. 

As parents start to get older, we go from being the ones they took care of to being the ones who help them stay healthy and strong for as long as possible. 

My sisters, brothers-in-law, and I have been thinking about this a lot lately and implementing some major and some simple changes that have had a huge impact on my parents’ overall health and happiness. 

Today, I’m going to share 7 things we did to help keep my parents healthy at the ages of 71 and 76.

If you’ve taken on the supportive role of keeping your parents, grandparents, family members, or friends healthy, or you’re looking to make some meaningful changes, this list is worth paying attention to. 

Let’s get into it…

💪Number 1: Strength Training / Daily Movement

My dad grew up pretty active (he’s a former cricket player and now he walks probably 15,000-20,000 steps a day, heck yeah!), but movement does not come naturally to my mom. This is where hiring help (if possible) is key. 

We got a trainer for my mom—someone to push her while being mindful of her abilities. She doesn’t lift super heavy yet, but the goal is that with enough consistent movement, she’ll up her reps and weight. Accountability is really important, especially for anyone who is new to fitness. 

Right now, she’s lifting about 10 lbs max, but with support, I’m hoping to get her to double, triple, and maybe even quadruple that one day.

Fitness is huge in my family since virtually every single expert agrees that it’s the biggest predictor of longevity, along with community. 

That brings me to the next two points. 

🏡Number 2: Changing Their Environment

This one’s huge. After my sisters and I moved to California, we made a family decision to get my parents out here, too. They moved in with my older sister and brother-in-law (which I know is not possible or desirable for everyone), but this one has been super important for us.

Behavior experts like BJ Fogg say one of the easiest ways to change habits is to change surroundings—and we’ve seen it firsthand. Being in a house where health is prioritized has made it so much easier for my parents to make better choices, like cutting down on ultra-processed food and exercising more.

☀️ Number 3: Making Meaningful Connections

With a new neighborhood came the task of making new friends, which is critical for my dad. Pretty immediately, he started chatting up all the neighbors. Now, they have a huge group of friends they socialize and walk with every single day, which has led them to double or even triple their daily step count. 

They are also closer to their grandkids, which drives even more purpose into their lives, and it’s really special for my nieces and nephews, too. 

Quality relationships are a huge part of longevity, so it’s pretty incredible to see how much they’ve prioritized this pillar of health. I can’t really take credit for this change because my dad has always been huge on friendship and family, and it’s we kids who have learned how to cultivate community from him. 

🍳Number 4: Eating More Protein

We grew up as vegetarians, and no shade to any vegetarians out there—I do believe there is a way to eat a vegetarian diet successfully, but we were not optimized vegetarians. Our diet was primarily refined and simple carbohydrates.

Once my parents got educated on how critical protein is for building muscle (the organ of longevity, as my friend Dr. Gabrielle Lyon says), they started getting serious about their protein consumption and added in things like salmon, high-quality protein powder, and occasionally some poultry.

They definitely seem stronger, more energetic, and sharper since making this specific dietary change. 

😴 Number 5: Addressing Sleep Apnea

This one was a game-changer for my dad. He has snored since I can remember. After finally getting tested and using a CPAP, his energy, mood, and focus completely transformed. High-quality sleep is such a huge lever for health at any age, and sleep apnea is something that goes under the radar far too often. Studies actually show that using a CPAP when you need one can help extend your lifespan.

I’m all about doing whatever it takes to get your sleep dialed in! If you suspect that anyone in your family has sleep apnea, encourage them to get a sleep study done. It could be life-changing. 

🚶‍♀️ Number 6: Walking after meals

As you can probably tell from this newsletter, walking is a huge part of this plan. My dad tried a continuous glucose monitor from Levels and saw just how much a 10-minute walk after eating stabilized his blood sugar.

Now he and my mom always take a walk after their meals, especially heavy meals! Even a few minutes can make a difference.

Note: I’m a huge fan of Levels and also an investor in the company.

🔥 Number 7 (Bonus): Using the Sauna

My sister and brother-in-law invested in a sauna—a splurge, but it’s become a shared ritual for recovery and connection (my dad might be its biggest fan).

When I go to visit them, my dad and I will take a sauna break. My mom uses it after her training sessions, and it’s become a regular part of their routine. They also finish every sauna session with LMNT electrolytes, and it feels good to see them incorporating so much of what I love into their day-to-day lives. 

You don’t have to have a sauna in your home. Most gyms have a sauna that you can encourage your parents to use (as long as they don’t have any medical conditions preventing them).

If you want to learn more about the benefits of sauna, check out this article I wrote a while back.

Concluding Thoughts

None of this happened overnight. My parents moved to California in 2019, so these are changes that have been happening over 6 years.

Don’t think that you have to overhaul your parents' lives, or anyone else’s, overnight. Sometimes the smallest changes can be the most impactful. And I also believe that positive change begets positive change. Pick one change and watch what happens; it could be the catalyst for other healthy habits.

These past few years have really taught me that helping our parents stay strong feels like one of the most meaningful things we’ll ever do. It’s our way of saying thank you, not just with words, but with action. What better way to say thanks than helping contribute to them feeling younger, healthier, and more energetic, for longer!

Here’s to your health (and your parents’, too!), 

Dhru Purohit