When seniors have good nutrition, they have a better quality
of life. It’s sad that more than 1 in 3 seniors in the care of others are at
risk for malnutrition (a statistic from the Mayo Clinic/American Dietetic Association).
Despite what many think, malnutrition
isn’t a lack of food, but the lack of proper nutrition. At Comfort Keepers of
Newark, Wilmington, and Dover DE we take nutrition seriously and can provide
meals for our clients with the nutrients they need on a daily basis.
Assessing if seniors are malnourished isn’t always easy,
since even though they may be eating enough in terms of quantity, they may not
be eating enough of the healthy items. Eating well is a benefit for people of
all ages and can make all the difference in a senior. Caregivers should place
more importance on what seniors are eating to enhance their health and quality
of life. Here’s why more importance
should be placed on a senior’s nutrition:
1. Improves Digestion
Seniors tend to have sensitive digestive
tracks that can get backed up easily. Since food choices greatly affect a
person’s digestion, poor food choices can create problems for many seniors,
especially if they are not getting enough fiber or fluids. Caregivers need to
make sure that seniors have enough fruits and vegetables in their diet to help
prevent constipation and must increase their water intake for better digestion.
2. Increases Energy
When seniors have a well-balanced diet,
they tend to have more energy. Constantly eating junk foods or other unhealthy
items can really slow a person down. Seniors need to eat a certain set of
calories based on their age and gender, so making sure a doctor provides this
information is crucial for a healthy diet that will in turn energize them. When
seniors have enough energy, their quality of life increases since they are able
to do more things on their own. Good nutrition will also promote better moods in
seniors.
3. Healthy Weight
When a senior eats the right amount of
calories for their age and gender, they’re able to maintain a healthy weight. Being
overweight can be a problem for seniors since it increases their risks of type
2 diabetes and heart disease, as well as cause joint problems. Carrying too
much weight can also hinder a senior’s ability to stay active, which then
causes mobility problems. So it’s important that a senior eat healthy items and
nutrient-dense foods (which are foods filled with nutrients but have few
calories).
4. Promotes Health
When a senior eats right, they’ll not only
feel physically better, but they’ll also decrease their risk from suffering
from things like bone loss, heart disease, stroke and other illnesses like
cancer and anemia. Eating healthy meals will also reduce high blood pressure,
lower cholesterol and more. The benefits to a eating healthy are numerous,
which is why caregivers should always provide nutritional food items for the
seniors that they care for.
Before a caregiver changes up a senior’s diet, they should
first consult with their doctor to see if there should be any food
restrictions. Do you have questions
about Senior Nutrition? Or need some assistance at your loved one’s home?
Comfort Keepers can help! Contact us today at 1-888-890-4842.
