Editor's Note: The Lunar New Year stands as the most significant festival of the year. Paying respects to ancestors, gathering with loved ones, feasting and celebrating—everyone hopes for a joyous and bustling celebration. Yet with large gatherings and numerous activities, the elderly inevitably face physical and mental strain. To address this, we've invited experts from four fields to offer detailed lifestyle guidance, helping seniors with chronic conditions enjoy a healthy and happy Spring Festival.Joint Pain? Break Travel into Smaller Segments Xiao Wenfeng, Associate Chief Physician, Orthopedics Department, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University Visiting relatives and friends, along with reunion dinners, are the heart of the festive season. Even with pandemic restrictions limiting unrestricted visits and large gatherings in some areas, family reunions and enjoying special meals remain inevitable.Therefore, during the holiday period, elderly individuals with bone and joint diseases such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout should take two key precautions.
Avoid a packed schedule. Those with bone and joint diseases are most vulnerable to strenuous physical activity. During the Spring Festival, frequent movement or prolonged, long-distance walking may increase the risk of hip or knee osteoarthritis flare-ups and worsen symptoms. Overloading the body—such as lifting heavy objects, carrying children, or climbing stairs—is also a risk factor for triggering osteoarthritis episodes.Therefore, it is advisable for seniors to break down their New Year's visits into smaller, less frequent gatherings rather than scheduling them too densely. When paying respects, focus on the sentiment behind the visit; leave handling large or heavy gifts to younger family members. While enjoying the company of children and grandchildren, remember to take adequate breaks.
Avoid high-purine foods. When blood uric acid levels become excessively high, crystals form, triggering redness, swelling, and pain—commonly known as gout. During the Spring Festival, family gatherings and social engagements with friends and relatives can be overwhelming. Excessive alcohol consumption and large amounts of high-purine foods may trigger acute gout attacks.Therefore, seniors with a history of gout or multiple risk factors should be mindful of their diet during the holiday season. Avoid high-purine foods, limit consumption of organ meats and cured meats, and reduce intake of bone broth, long-simmered hotpot broth, and sugary beverages. Control alcohol consumption, especially beer. Additionally, ensure adequate daily water intake—aiming for 2 to 4 liters is ideal.
If you experience joint pain, discomfort, or limited mobility, seek medical attention promptly. Avoid self-medication or delaying treatment. Receive a clear diagnosis and follow standardized treatment protocols.
Weak digestion? Set meal times and portions
Liu Xiaowei, Chief Physician, Department of Gastroenterology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University
"Eat well and drink well" is the most down-to-earth description of the holiday season. During the Spring Festival, when families reunite, rich foods, alcohol, and beverages are inevitable. This can increase the burden on the gastrointestinal tract, potentially causing flare-ups or worsening conditions for elderly individuals with pre-existing digestive issues.To enjoy a healthy and joyful Spring Festival, consider the following recommendations.
Avoid overeating. While seniors typically maintain light, regular diets, holiday gatherings with friends and relatives often disrupt eating patterns, leading to binge eating, excessive consumption of greasy foods, and heavy drinking. This significantly burdens the gastrointestinal system, exacerbating existing conditions and potentially triggering new ones.Statistics show that during holidays, the incidence of gallstones and acute pancreatitis caused by overeating increases compared to normal days. Excessive drinking may lead to acute erosive hemorrhagic gastritis. Therefore, elderly individuals with poor digestive systems should pay attention to reasonable eating habits, balancing meat and vegetables, and keeping meal portions and times as consistent as possible with their usual routine. Control alcohol intake and avoid drinking on an empty stomach.Increase fruit and vegetable intake. Fresh produce is rich in fiber, which helps reduce greasiness, maintains normal gastrointestinal motility, and prevents constipation. Due to gatherings with relatives and friends or recreational activities, many people alter their sleep schedules and pay less attention to their physical condition. For elderly individuals with gastrointestinal diseases, this may trigger worsening of their condition. Therefore, ensure adequate sleep daily, arrange leisure and rest time reasonably, and maintain a calm state of mind.
Minimize consumption of leftovers.Holidays often result in leftover meals. For seniors with gastrointestinal discomfort, consuming these without thorough reheating or directly from the refrigerator is particularly risky, potentially causing nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, and other symptoms. Therefore, pay extra attention to food hygiene: leafy vegetables and eggs should not be stored overnight. Leftover or takeout food must be thoroughly reheated before consumption.
Don't avoid seeking medical help.Many elderly patients, influenced by traditional beliefs, are reluctant to take medication during holidays and may discontinue long-term prescriptions, leading to disease recurrence or worsening conditions. Chronic disease patients are advised to strictly follow medical instructions for medication schedules and avoid arbitrary discontinuation. If severe symptoms such as hematemesis, melena, intense abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or altered consciousness occur, seek immediate medical attention.
High Blood Pressure
Bundle Up and Stock Medication
Liu Xiangwei, MD, PhD, Assistant Researcher, Department of Cardiology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University; Ma Qilin, MD
For seniors with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, or diabetes, maintaining health during the holiday requires particular attention to three key areas.
Stay Warm and Protected.Temperatures remain low across most northern regions during the Spring Festival. Elderly individuals who frequently visit relatives or make New Year's calls should dress warmly and be mindful of indoor-outdoor temperature differences.Cold air exposure stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, accelerating heart rate and increasing peripheral vascular resistance. This raises blood pressure and increases cardiac workload, potentially impairing blood supply. It may trigger coronary artery spasm, further narrowing vessels already constricted by atherosclerotic plaques. In severe cases, plaque rupture and bleeding can induce thrombosis, leading to angina attacks or myocardial infarction.Simultaneously, cold weather alters levels of multiple hormones in the body, causing vasoconstriction and elevated blood pressure—particularly noticeable in the elderly and those with cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases. Beyond wearing masks, hats, and scarves, seniors should avoid prolonged outdoor exposure. Maintain indoor temperatures around 18°C to minimize indoor-outdoor temperature differences.
Stock up on a two-week supply of medication. Many elderly individuals with "three highs" (high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol) diligently follow their doctors' orders for medication during regular times. However, during the Spring Festival, they may feel taking medicine is unlucky and stop their medication without consulting their doctor, leading to various sudden illnesses.During the Spring Festival, lower temperatures and the excitement of family reunions can cause sudden increases in heart rate and blood pressure, triggering strokes or heart attacks. Therefore, elderly individuals with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, or diabetes should take their medication on time, maintain regular sleep patterns, and eat sensibly. It is recommended to stock up on 10-15 days' worth of medication before the holiday and schedule follow-up appointments to avoid delays in taking medication due to overcrowded hospital outpatient departments after the holiday.
Minimize noise exposure. The incessant crackling and booming of firecrackers can irritate and stress some seniors, elevating blood pressure. For those with hypertension or heart disease, noise stimulation may cause changes in pulse and heart rate, irregular heart rhythms, and in severe cases, trigger episodes.During peak firecracker periods, seniors feeling unwell should promptly move away from the noise, seal windows and doors tightly, or use earplugs to minimize cardiac strain from loud sounds.
Cognitive Challenges
Simplify Ceremonies and Decorations
Wang Shuhong, Chief Nurse of the Nursing Department at Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, and Chairperson of the Alzheimer's Disease Health Management Committee of the Hunan Health Management Association
Celebrating the New Year in a lively atmosphere is every elderly person's wish, and dementia patients are no exception.However, the holiday season brings changes to all aspects of daily life, disrupting the delicate balance between patients and caregivers and increasing the risk of accidents like falls or wandering. Faced with more activities and social interactions than usual, seniors may also experience heightened anxiety and confusion, leading to emotional fluctuations that affect their health. Therefore, families with elderly dementia patients should note the following points during the New Year celebrations.
Simplify routines. Dementia patients are often highly sensitive to others' emotions. Attempting to maintain traditional celebrations while providing care places significant stress on caregivers (spouses or family members). Streamlining rituals and schedules reduces this pressure and eases the patient's anxiety.
Engage seniors in meaningful tasks. "Having something to do" allows dementia patients to focus on their current capabilities and feel accepted; the sense of accomplishment from completing tasks makes them feel "useful." Therefore, find activities within their abilities or those requiring minimal assistance.