How Home Care Can Assist Seniors With Nutrition Challenges

 

A nutritious diet plays a critical role in our overall health, including physical and mental. And with health issues magnified as we age, nutrition plays an even more important role for older adults. Nutrition challenges are rampant in seniors. Research shows that nearly 1 in 5 independent seniors is at risk for malnutrition. And many others have an inadequate diet. 

As we age, our appetites change (medications and health problems can also affect our appetites), we are unable to get to the grocery store or farmer’s market as often, and we may lack the motivation to cook big meals (especially when we live alone). That’s why having a resource to assist with nutrition is essential. From family caregivers helping or inviting loved ones for meals, to a professional caregiver helping with meal planning, grocery shopping, and meal preparation, it’s never been easier for seniors to have access to solid nutrition.

Let’s take a closer look at nutrition for seniors, and the role of home care.

Protein is an essential part of a well-rounded diet.

While many of us understand how important protein is for proper nutrition, it’s especially important for elderly people. That’s because it helps to maintain muscle mass and strength, which is key to preventing injuries and aiding in mobility.

But also, protein helps to support immunity and overall health. Many people don’t realize that we actually need more protein as we age (about 50% more protein per kilogram of body weight than when we were younger) just to preserve our current muscle mass. As we age, our protein tissue turnover decreases significantly (to 20% or less) by the time we turn 70. This is called sarcopenia. 

Many people may not realize that protein also plays a critical role in bone health and preventing osteoporosis, which affects 10 million seniors (about 1 in 10!) in the United States. Low protein not only weakens your muscles, but your bones, making you more susceptible to fractures and falls. 

Before you or your loved one start adding protein shakes to the mix; however, it’s important to speak to a doctor. Protein intake depends on kidney function, so it’s best to be sure that it’s safe for your loved one to potentially increase their protein consumption. A home health aide can work from your care plan to ensure that your loved one is receiving precisely the right amount of protein every day to keep those bones and muscles strong! 

Home care workers can help identify a problem that requires attention.

One often unheralded benefit of home care is the ability of an astute home health aide to identify potential problems and notify family or doctors before they become big issues. For example, if a senior isn’t eating all of their meals, or if they notice dental health issues. 

Compassionate and professional caregivers will not only identify the problem, but will work with family members to come up with a plan to overcome those issues. Perhaps alternative foods or beverages can help with a food aversion, for example. Changes in eating patterns could also be related to mental health issues like depression or anxiety. In many instances, a home care professional can help not only to identify problems, but to provide solutions.

A professional approach to diet can help with a myriad of nutrition challenges.

One of the most common nutrition challenges for seniors is nutritional deficiencies. That means, specific deficiencies in vitamins or minerals. Some nutritional deficiencies are more common than others, and home care professionals can assist with overcoming those deficiencies. A large portion of seniors, for example, have vitamin D deficiencies. 

It can occur due to lack of sun, the increased need to protect the skin from the sun, or the decreased ability to process vitamin D or create it in the body. With many seniors staying indoors (particularly in colder climates with rough winters), it can be difficult for many seniors to get outside enough for the right amount of vitamin D. 

Lack of vitamin D reduces immunity and affects the strength of the bones and teeth. Including food in the diet like eggs, salmon, beef liver, fortified milk or mushrooms can help, as can supplementation (talk to a doctor before adding any supplements or making major dietary changes). Home care workers can create well-balanced meals that are both delicious and nutritious.

Here are some additional strategies and common nutritional observations among seniors:

• Dehydration can become a problem in older adults. Seniors dehydrate faster than their younger counterparts do. Seniors may not recognize they’re thirsty or fail to react to it. Even mild dehydration can cause UTIs. Symptoms of both dehydration and UTIs resemble dementia.
• If dental issues or diminishing appetite are part of the problem, home care specialists can solve it by making smoothies that taste like a treat but have all the necessary nutrients.
• Home care workers can make meals ahead that only require heating in the microwave and serving. It eliminates the problem of preparation.
• It’s cheaper to have a home care individual make meals ahead and freeze some of them than to eat a healthy restaurant meal. Home-cooked meals have no chemical preservatives or unhealthy additions that negatively affect health.

For more information, call us at (405) 471-6175 or contact us today at LiveBetter At Home.