March is National Nutrition Month, which means it’s a great time to make sure your aging loved one is getting the vital nutrients their body so desperately needs.

Good nutrition is important at any age, but many Americans aged 65-and-over don’t eat enough of the nutrient-rich foods that their bodies need. Malnutrition in the elderly can be caused by lack of appetite, swallowing difficulties, poor mobility and other issues. Aging in place seniors that get malnourished oftentimes end up in the hospital and some lose their independence as a result.

Why Do Seniors Get Malnourished?

The Mayo Clinic identifies malnutrition as a serious health problem in the aging population. They further point out that seniors can get malnourished for these social, physical and psychological reasons:

  • Age-related smell, taste and appetite changes
  • Dementia and Alzheimer’s
  • Chewing discomfort and swallowing difficulties
  • Certain medications including chemo drugs
  • Mobility issues
  • Depression caused by poor health, grief, or loneliness
  • Limited income

Malnutrition Causes these Health Problems

Seniors that don’t eat a diet rich in essential vitamins and minerals are oftentimes placed at risk for these health problems:

  • Poor wound healing and slower recovery times after surgery
  • Weakened immunity leading to infections and illnesses
  • Muscle weakness and poor balance that can cause falls
  • Decreased bone mass which promotes fractures
  • Being hospitalized and even dying

Turning a Senior’s Nutrition Around

As an informal caregiver, these are several ways to help improve your senior’s diet so that they will take in the daily nutrients their body needs:

Educate Yourself

Learn about which foods are the most beneficial for older bodies. For example, bone loss occurs frequently in the elderly. That means they need to eat more calcium and Vitamin D-enriched food products like milk, bread, natural fruit juices and cereal. A great place to start is an online nutrition source like eatright.org.

Meet with a Nutrition Expert

Sit down with a licensed dietician or nutritionist who can devise an individualized diet plan for your loved one. Health conditions your senior might have that will influence their dietary intake include diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and constipation.

Take Them Food Shopping

Take mom or dad food shopping and teach them how to read the nutrition labels. Encourage them to avoid foods that are high in processed sugar, sodium and saturated fats. Explain the importance of shunning fast food, especially if they have a heart condition or diabetes. If meal preparation is an issue, set them up with a meal delivery service that specializes in healthy meals for the elderly, like Diet-to-Go or Silver Cuisine.

Focus on Fiber

Since constipation and elevated blood sugar are common in the elderly, make sure that your loved one has enough natural fiber in their diet. Increasing the amounts of fresh fruits, veggies, nuts and whole grains will provide much-needed fiber and nutrients that help the body normalize sugar levels and stay regular. Note: Seniors on a blood-thinner should avoid green, leafy vegetables because they contain high amounts of Vitamin K.

Keep it “Smooth”

For malnourished seniors with chewing or swallowing difficulties, there are nutritious shakes like Boost or Ensure. Or, get a blender and make your own version by mixing up fresh fruit, Greek yogurt, peanut butter and maybe some sunflower seeds. Smoothies not only taste great, they’re easy to swallow and pack a punch when it comes to healthy calories and nutrients!

In-Home Nutritional Support for Alabama Seniors

Convincing an aging in place loved one to eat healthier can be difficult when you’re busy or live far away. When you need some in-home dietary assistance, contact Seniors Prefer Homecare. As a fully licensed and insured home care agency, our well-trained and carefully screened caregivers can step in and provide your loved one with the food shopping, meal preparation and after-meal cleanup support needed so they can keep living right where they want to be.

In addition to meals, our compassionate caregivers can also perform duties like personal hygiene, medication reminders, companionship and escorted transportation. And, all our family trusted services can be individually combined into an affordable package that’ll put your mind at ease! To learn more about Seniors Prefer Homecare now, or to schedule a FREE in-home consultation for a senior in Tuscaloosa or Huntsville, AL, today, please visit us at: www.seniorspreferhomecare.com.