Use Elder Care to Help Your Loved One Stick to Their Nutrition Plan

With Visiting Angels of Auburn Finding Quality Elder Care is Vital for your Senior Family to Stay Safe

It is important for seniors' health and wellness that they follow a proper nutrition plan. Many physicians instruct their patients to follow a specific diet that will meet their changing nutritional needs or treat certain medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, congestive heart failure, and coronary artery disease. With help from their loved ones and frequent eldercare services, seniors can succeed on their proper diet journey. 

What Makes It Difficult for Seniors to Follow a Nutrition Plan?

There is a never-ending list of why seniors have a hard time sticking to a nutrition plan, may do best with Visiting Angels elder care services. The most common reasons are: 

• Physical changes: As seniors age, the body makes significant changes. The body begins to slow down its metabolism, and excretion can become much more difficult. This slow metabolism is why senior nutrition plans should have fewer calories and more nutrient-rich food— such as fruit and vegetables. With age, one's sense of taste/thirst and digestive system will also change; these changes make seniors likely consume more salt than necessary, leading to dehydration and the body having difficulty absorbing the healthy nutrients it needs. Seniors can also experience difficulty chewing and swallowing food or taking medicine that decreases their appetite. Eldercare services can monitor and report any physical changes or issues. 
• Memory problems: Memory issues can be a unique problem when it comes to seniors' diets. Some seniors have shown difficulty remembering if they have eaten or not during the day, leading to them eating too little or too much. Some seniors may have an advanced memory issue that may cause them to forget that they have a diet to follow. These memory impairments can be dangerous, specifically if a senior has medical conditions such as diabetes or congestive heart failure that can be exacerbated by eating the wrong foods.
• Emotional health: When seniors are given a new dietary plan that cuts out/limits certain foods, they may be discouraged from following their instructions. Changes to the routines can cause stress or depression that can throw your loved one a curveball regarding their diet. Many seniors find it difficult to motivate themselves to cook and eat alone and purchase healthy foods. Eldercare providers can offer seniors the emotional support needed to assist with encouraging them to follow a diet. 
  

How Can Non-Medical Home Care Help?

It can feel overwhelming and scary to change life habits— especially for aging adults. It is crucial to be your seniors' cheerleader while they begin their journey to a proper diet; however, this can be difficult to do alone— eldercare services may be beneficial when you need the extra help. When it is all said and done, it is up to the seniors to decide if they will genuinely follow their instructed diet plan. You can discuss with your loved one's doctors ways to encourage and support your seniors while beginning their new diet. Eldercare services offer care companions that are also able to assist with this process. It is crucial that you make your seniors feel like you are taking away their choices and independence. 

If you and your senior are needing extra help with sticking with the suggested diet plan, Visiting Angels may be of assistance. Visiting Angels have a team of professionals who offer non-medical home care to seniors adjusting to different nutritional needs and unique challenges. Visiting Angels non-medical eldercare services can assist seniors in meeting dietary needs by providing:

• Companionship: Visiting Angels care professionals have been a trusted presence for seniors for many years. These care providers can encourage their clients to try new foods while assisting with adjusting to a new diet plan more quickly. Typically, eating is a social activity, and because of that, our seniors often enjoy that their care companion is there to enjoy meals. 
• Encouragement: Seniors that are suffering from memory-related issues often need reminders to stick to their nutrition plan. Caregivers can be around to suggest that their clients drink water, take a break to eat, or take dietary supplements. Caregivers are around to be a set of eyes, making sure that your senior is sticking to their specific diet guidelines. 
• Help around the home: Non-medical caregivers from Visiting Angels can assist your seniors with their grocery shopping, and they can encourage and ensure that the right foods are being purchased. Your senior's caregiver can also help with meal preparation and cooking. Seniors that struggle with mobility impairments may benefit the most from this type of non-medical home care.

It can be challenging for seniors to follow a healthy and nutritious meal plan, but they can genuinely benefit from the said meal plan with the proper support. 

If you want to learn more about eldercare services or in-home care, contact Visiting Angels of Auburn by calling 603-483-8999 or by filling out our online intake form linked below.