You might not think about malnutrition in the elderly, but this often unrecognized condition affects more than 3.7 million seniors in the United States alone, according to FamilyDoctor.org. While some of those seniors suffer due to poverty and lack of access to healthy food, the majority become malnourished for a lot of different reasons.

Sometimes, seniors experience a reduced appetite due to medications and lack of activity. Others have problems eating due to arthritis, eating disorders, pain in the jaw or teeth, or facial paralysis from a stroke. The elderly can also suffer from mental illnesses that can affect how they eat, such as dementia, depression or eating disorders. Of course, there are also those that simply choose to eat junk food and steer clear of nutritious choices.

You can help preserve your loved one’s health and wellness by seeing that they are getting the nutrients they need to thrive via healthy meals and snacks. Here are 5 things that you can do to help your aging loved one and ensure that malnutrition doesn’t occur:

1. Serve Nutrient-Rich Food – Everyone knows that some foods are more nutritious than others, but there are certain options that deliver a lot of healthy vitamins and minerals per bite. Serve some of nature’s superfoods as often as you can, like blueberries, salmon, peanut butter, eggs, cheese, avocados, spinach, and healthy fruit smoothies.
2. Provide Healthy Snacks – Many seniors like to snack during the day, and that’s an excellent opportunity to introduce nutrients to the body. Healthy and delicious snack ideas include hard-boiled eggs, cheese cubes, apples and peanut butter, walnuts, whole wheat toast and yogurt with fruit. Make sure to serve these snacks at regular times or else have them within easy reach throughout the day so your loved one can access them when they feel hungry.
3. Be Present at Meals – The best way to gauge how well your aging loved one is eating is to eat with them or at least be present during meals. Many seniors eat more when they are entertaining someone, and you’ll be able to encourage them to finish their meal when you are there. If you can’t be there, see if other family members, church community members or other home care support groups can.
4. Whet Their Appetite – If your loved one simply doesn’t have much of an appetite, do what you can to stimulate that. Exercise can trigger hunger, so get your elderly loved one up and moving during the day so they are famished by dinner. Also, elderly taste buds can diminish, so make sure meals smell and taste delicious by using citrus juice, spices, herbs and other favorite flavorings.
5. Get Support From Outside – You don’t have to take on all this by yourself because there are many home care agencies that provide assistants to make and serve meals in the senior’s home. Also consider community assistance programs that deliver nutritious meals to seniors. Church suppers, senior citizen center events and other local resources can also help your aging loved one with meal habits.

Seniors, like the rest of us, need to eat a balanced diet to stay healthy and strong. Malnutrition is a real risk in the elderly, but family members can work together to ensure that their aging loved one avoids it.

The staff at Home Care Matters is available to talk with you and your family about all of your needs. Home Care Matters is a home care agency providing quality and affordable home care in Flowery Branch, GA and the surrounding areas. Call (678) 828-2195 for more information.

• Author
• Recent Posts

Valerie Darling

Founder, Owner at Home Care Matters

Valerie was born in Miami, FL and after a few family moves, grew up locally in the Marietta, GA area.Valerie is the oldest of 4 (3 younger brothers).She is married and has one child.Valerie is the Founder, Owner and CEO of Home Care Matters.Valerie’s mom, Dee, is the inspiration and primary driver as the how and why the business was born.Valerie says, “My mom is never far from our thoughts.Mom was an integral part of developing and starting HCM before she passed away.Our goal is to stay true to her memory and continue to honor her with the love, values, and ethics she taught us.”

Valerie has the unique experience with home care as she has experienced it from both ends of the spectrum, as a caregiver and as needing care herself as a cancer survivor. Valerie says, “Taking care of someone you love is a physically, mentally and demanding labor of love.Taking care of my mom was the hardest thing I have ever done. It has given me an insight and perspective not many people understand unless you are doing it or have done it.I loved taking care of my mom.I love helping others take care of their love ones too.And now that I’ve been sick, it’s given me a whole new level of empathy and understanding for those who are sick and need help.”

Valerie’s schedule varies daily, but she loves visiting with our clients, families, caregivers, our network partners and being in the office.Says Valerie, “Every day is different, but I wake up excited about what we do, inspired by our team, clients and caregivers.I strive to be a resource to the community.I love my team and I love what we do every day. I like to think my mom would be proud.”

You can reach Valerie by email (Valerie@homecarematters.com) or in our office (770.965.4004).

Latest posts by Valerie Darling (see all)

• The 5 Most Common Signs of Malnutrition In Seniors - November 22, 2024
• Personal Home Care in Gainesville, Georgia: Supporting Independence and Quality of Life - November 20, 2024
• 7 Tips for Caring for an Aging Loved One with Alzheimer’s Disease - November 15, 2024