4 Challenges Seniors Face to Proper Nutrition and How to Overcome Them
There are many barriers to eating a healthy diet for all of us in today's society, and for seniors there are even more challenges. For some, the lack of ability in the kitchen and limited grocery budget play a part. For others, a changing appetite or palette as well as mobility limitations that come with age are an even bigger challenge. At a time of life when it is essential to get proper nutrition, we need to reach out and help our neighbors so they can reduce the risk of significant health related issues that result from poor diet.
Challenge #1: Sensory Changes Result in Low Desire to Eat
It’s no secret that the body changes with age, but did you know that includes our taste buds? The older you are, the fewer taste buds you have, and the taste buds you do have shrink and don’t function as well as they once did. The result is a decreased sensitivity to taste which makes eating healthy a challenge. What does one do when nothing tastes the way it used to? There are a few things you try to break down this barrier:
Play with different herbs and spices. These will add flavor without the increase in blood pressure that salt can cause. With hundreds available, the possibilities are endless. Try mixing flavors to liven up your next meal.
Try something new. Eating new foods and flavors can make meals more enticing. It’s easier to try something new and nutritious when it contains ingredients you like.
Concentrate on your favorite mealtime. Most people have a “favorite” meal of the day, the meal you enjoy most and often have the biggest appetite for. Focus on that meal and make the most of it, paying close attention to the nutrients you’re using.
Challenge #2: Lack of Confidence in the Kitchen
Some seniors simply don’t feel comfortable in the kitchen, which results in turning to quick-cook or ready-made meals that are full of preservatives and are often low in nutritional value. As a family member or caregiver of an older adult, offering them help with planning and meal prep is a simple way to ensure that the meals they are getting contain the nutrients they need.
Meal planning and prepping those meals can be a fun activity that seniors and caregivers or family members can do together. Simple, healthy recipes can be found all over the internet! One great Minnesota-based source of delicious, easy to prepare options is A Place for Everyone. This Maple Grove, MN entrepreneur focuses on healthy, balanced recipes that feel gourmet, but are attainable even for an amateur cook. Check out the recipe for white bean soup that we have shared on our website (with permission of course), it is amazing and a perfect make ahead dish that can be separated into multiple meals.
Challenge #3: Decreased Mobility
As we age, it becomes harder to stand for long periods of time, especially when facing aching joints and instability, so standing to cook becomes difficult. The unsteadiness and fall risk can also cause fear of unforeseen accidents in the kitchen. These physical mobility challenges are often hard to overcome and can cause huge roadblocks to healthy eating, but so does the challenge of transportation. In their elder years, many seniors no longer have access or permission to drive themselves.
Stacey Hoffman, Director of Nutrition at Hennepin County Medical Center says, “Many times we find that our patients aren’t getting the nutrition they need simply because they can no longer get to the grocery store. Seniors need to be educated on the many resources out there for them, especially in the Twin Cities. If using technology is a challenge, a family member or caregiver should be able to assist them in searching for local grocery delivery, meal programs, or agencies dedicated to senior transportation.” As a caregiver or family member, you can sign your loved one(s) up for a meal delivery program, or create an account with a grocery store that delivers right to their door.
Another great option for seniors in the Twin Cities area is to sign up for our local Meals on Wheels program. A community-based service with programs throughout the country, our Twin Cities branch provides nutritious meals delivered to seniors around the area. The volunteers making the deliveries provide another form of much-needed social connection for seniors. Any chance to interact with another caring adult is beneficial for seniors, and another way to provide peace of mind for families, knowing that someone has been around to check-in on their loved one(s).
Challenge #4: Emotional Struggles
Feelings of loneliness and a sense of loss can cause seniors to lose interest in eating. After the loss of a significant other or close friend, some seniors don't feel like eating much. The idea of eating alone perpetuates their feeling of loneliness. Cooking for one may seem like a daunting task and can also cause a lack of motivation or desire to eat. Mealtime is another time where social connection is important. If your loved one or client lives in an assisted living facility, encourage them to eat with the community. This mealtime connection reduces social isolation while providing a hot, balanced meal. It will also make their mealtimes more fun and something they can look forward to each day. For those living in their private home, or where communal dining isn't available, a home care provider is a great option to combat the challenge of isolation. Caregivers can assist seniors in preparing meals and also provide companionship while they eat. Sometimes a friendly face across the table is all that is needed to help seniors maintain a healthy diet.
We know that there are a number of challenges that come with age, eating healthy doesn’t have to be one of them. Helping our older loved ones understand the many options and resources available to them will ensure they are getting the nutrition they need. Reach out to Visiting Angels today at 952-935-0789 if your loved one could benefit from the companionship and meal planning assistance that a caregiver can provide. You can also fill out our contact form and we will get in touch with you.