Heart Health

February is often called “Heart Health Month,” but for many caregivers, heart health is not something that comes up just once a year. Conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart disease are part of daily life, for both caregivers and for the people they love. The good news is that supporting heart health does not require big, overwhelming changes. Small, steady steps really do matter.

One of the simplest and most powerful tools for heart health is movement. This does not mean strenuous workouts or anything that feels intimidating. Gentle exercise — like stretching, chair-based movement, light walking, or guided group exercise — helps keep blood flowing, supports circulation, and can improve mood and energy. At the Memory Center, our gentle exercise and stretching programs are designed specifically with safety, comfort, and dignity in mind. Even small amounts of regular movement can help support cardiovascular health while also reducing stiffness and promoting relaxation.

Another important piece is routine. Hearts like consistency. Regular daily rhythms, such as mealtimes, activity, rest, and sleep, help the body function more smoothly. Caregivers often put themselves last, but keeping a predictable routine can benefit everyone in the household. When caregivers eat regularly, stay hydrated, and take brief movement breaks, they are also caring for their own hearts.

Food choices play a role too, though this does not have to mean rigid rules or giving up everything enjoyable. Simple shifts, such as adding more fruits and vegetables, choosing whole grains when possible, and limiting overly salty or heavily processed foods, can support heart health over time. Shared meals can also be an opportunity for connection and calm, which matters more than we often realize.

It’s also worth remembering that stress affects the heart. Caregiving can be emotionally demanding, and chronic stress takes a toll on the body. Moments of social connection, laughter, music, and shared activity help reduce stress and support emotional well-being. These moments are not “extras," but rather they are part of caring for the whole person.

Finally, heart health is not about perfection. It is about doing what is realistic and sustainable. Gentle movement, supportive routines, nourishing food, and meaningful connection all add up. Caregivers are already doing so much. Recognizing that everyday choices — and supportive programs like those at the Memory Center — are helping both caregivers and their loved ones stay healthier can be reassuring.

This February, we encourage caregivers to think of heart health not as another task on the list, but as something woven into daily life — one stretch, one shared meal, one supportive moment at a time.

Published in the Memory Center newsletter February 2026.