Growing up, Dad looked out for your health and safety to make sure you reached adulthood in one piece. Now that Dad is getting older, there are things you can do to return the favor. If you see some healthy changes your dad could make in his life, but you don’t know how to help him do so, read on! AFC Urgent Care can help you navigate the sometimes-tricky conversations about Dad’s health to help him live healthfully!

Make a Healthy Meal for Dad

We all know that what we eat has a massive impact on our daily lives. Not only can the quality of our diets influence our susceptibility to chronic disease, but it can also raise or lower our energy levels and general well-being. Dietary experts recommend that people focus on getting more produce and less saturated fats and processed sugars in their diets, and if you see that Dad isn’t quite meeting that goal, it can be tempting to lecture him. This is counterproductive; instead, we recommend that you make dinner for him a few times a week. This way, you can save him the work of making the food while you’re introducing healthier dishes. The meals will also be quality time together the two of you can enjoy.

Spend Time on an Activity You Both Enjoy

Similarly, while exercise can improve skeletal and metabolic health, lecturing your dad or buying him a gym membership will be seen as condescending. Instead, try to choose activities your dad already likes, and do them with him more often. You might even introduce him to an activity that he’s never tried, like line dancing or geocaching, that the two of you can do together.

Help Him Relax

Dad could also use some time to relax, so think about what he does to unwind. Would he like a new hammock, or a massaging chair to take a load off in the evenings? Would he enjoy a nice red wine at nights? The tools to help him chill out would make a great gift. And if you’re short on cash, doing some chores around his house can go a long way to show him he’s appreciated and loved.

Give the Gift of Health!

These gift ideas have the added benefit of helping to stave off the effects of depression and memory loss. Studies have demonstrated that physical activity and frequent socializing can help prevent or treat two of the biggest mental health concerns for older adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, rates of depression in elderly people can range from 3 percent to 13.5 percent. About one in 20 adults over 65 suffer some form of memory loss, and 30 million people worldwide suffer from dementia, which can include Alzheimer’s disease.

You can never repay what dad has done for you, but this Father’s Day, you can show how much he means to you by giving him the gift of your presence and your care. Little things can be more meaningful than grand gestures, and your dad deserves the best this year. So consider how you can make this year better than ever for your dad by using Father’s Day to help him grow healthier!