As we age, it is important to use nutrition as a step toward preventing the onset of certain illnesses and disorders through the food choices that we make. As caregivers, it is important to emphasize good food choices to elderly clients due to the way these choices can influence the way that we age – both on the inside and on the outside.
How can caregivers help clients to make proper food choices?
Caregivers with Advanta Home Care can provide support while shopping for groceries to help the elder. Care in choosing a wide variety of foods that includes whole grains, fruits, dairy products, and vegetables, will be taken to ensure that the individual is consuming the recommended daily servings from each of the food groups.
Obviously, when shopping with an elder, care will be given should they have any medical conditions that involve their diet, such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
Because the nutritional requirements for the body change as we age, it is important to ensure that foods are consumed that are high in vitamin D, B vitamins, calcium, folate and iron. Without these foods the body can become devoid of these nutrients and cause the immune system to become susceptible as well as complications in the digestive system.
Teaching healthy eating habits and suggesting healthy snacks at home, while at the grocery store and through the use of community programs can be an effective way for caregivers to improve the nutritional intake of their clients.
What are some other ways caregivers can help their clients determine and meet their nutritional needs?
Caregivers should ensure that the client is eating enough to survive. In many cases, if the client has suffered from degenerative disorders or a loss of cognitive function, it can be easy to forget that they need to eat. In this case, a schedule and meal plan that includes pre-prepared meals should be designed for the client along with reminders. Ease of preparation is an important factor in designing a meal plan for the elderly. Reminders about the preparation and eating their meals can be delivered via phone calls from members of the support system or by the caregiver during scheduled visits. Proper eating habits can maintain the energy level of the senior, while fighting disease and boosting the immune system.
As we age, the body requires less food. In fact, research has demonstrated that with every decade past the age of forty, the body requires ten percent less food. Although eating less is required, more nutrients and vitamins should be found within the food choices.
Setting up a supplementary appointment with a dietician is an aspect of elder care that caregivers should consider. The dietician can work with the senior to develop a healthy menu that includes vitamins, nutrients and proteins which are all important parts of a balanced diet.
There are plenty of shop and stores in the areas we serve (San Diego, El Cajon, La Mesa) so let one of our dedicated team look after someone you care about.
Tags: care providers, el cajon, elder care, la mesa, san diego
