How To Help Your Elderly Loved One Eat Better
Eating right is a challenging task for many older adults. The physical and mental challenges of aging can make it hard to keep up with the demands of daily life, let alone those associated with cooking and eating healthily.
However, food can be an important part of maintaining quality of life for elderly loved ones who live at home, as well as their caregivers.
In this article we will discuss strategies that anyone can use to help their elderly loved ones eat better.
Be Honest With Them
The first step is to be honest with them. If they are struggling to cook or eat healthy meals, let them know your concerns. Better yet, offer to help! You don’t necessarily need to sugarcoat the situation. Older people can often sense when something is wrong and will appreciate your honesty.
Help Them Cook
If they can cook, help them out! This can include doing things like chopping vegetables, measuring ingredients, and cooking food. Preparing food for the week can make their lives so much easier and you can rest knowing they’ve got a great meal plan in their refrigerator.
Older adults may find it difficult to stand for long periods of time or grip slippery objects, so tasks like these can be challenging.
If they are unable to cook on their own, suggest simple recipes that are easy to follow and do not require a lot of preparation time. There are many recipes designed specifically for those with limited mobility that are simple to follow.
Get Their Social Circle Involved
Reach out to friends and family members who may be willing to help as well. A meal train is a good way for people in the community to come together to provide meals for an elderly loved one. This will allow them to enjoy delicious, healthy food options without having to cook or go shopping themselves. It is also a great way for you and your elderly loved ones' social circle to get involved!
If they do not have many friends or relatives nearby, consider starting their own meal-sharing group on Facebook so everyone can pitch in.
Create a Healthy Eating Schedule
Another important thing you can do is help them eat on a regular schedule. This will allow their body to become accustomed to the routine of eating several times per day, which makes it easier for them to manage food intake if they are struggling with appetite or have an illness that interferes with their ability to smell and taste.
You may want to start by creating three meals in one week together so your elderly loved ones get used to how this works. This way when someone else cooks for them, they know what time it is supposed to be served.
It is also helpful if everyone involved uses the same mealtime table setting so there are no mix-ups during mealtimes.
Consult with a Doctor or Dietitian
Finally, you should consult with a doctor or dietitian who is familiar with your elderly loved ones' condition. A healthcare professional can help create an eating schedule specific to their health needs so the whole family knows what to expect and when it will happen.
Of course, if there are issues that interfere with healthy eating like pain or fatigue they may need additional support in order to eat well on their own. This could mean having someone come into the home regularly for assistance or looking into other options such as assisted living in Vancouver.
We hope these tips are helpful in assisting your loved one in eating a balanced, healthy diet. Taking care of their physical health through proper nutrition is one way you can help your parents, grandparents, or elderly friends age feeling better!