More Americans aged 65+ than ever before now enjoy active, independent lifestyles. In addition to physical exercise, mental stimulation and socialization, an aging adult’s quality of life also relies on the foods they eat. Sadly, millions of aging-in-place seniors don’t get the daily nutrition they need. What follows are several reasons why you’re never too old to enjoy the benefits that a healthy, well-balanced diet provides. 

Why Don’t Older Adults Eat Right?

Many seniors live on fixed incomes that make food shopping challenging. For those that live alone, grabbing some fast food or a bag of chips is easier than preparing a healthy meal.

In addition, here are some other reasons why many older adults don’t eat like they should:

Health Problems Linked to Malnutrition  

Studies have shown that nearly half of all elderly Americans are either malnourished or at risk for malnutrition. Once seniors stop getting the nutrition they need, these health problems are possible:

  • Eyesight changes
  • Trouble managing chronic medical conditions
  • Slower wound healing
  • More susceptible to illnesses and infections
  • Muscle weakness and bone mass loss

Due to malnourishment countless aging-in-place adults end up hospitals or nursing homes every year. Unfortunately, many lose their independence permanently as a result.

How Good Nutrition Benefits Seniors

Good nutrition is important at any age, and especially for those aged 65-and-above. As the body ages nutritional needs also change that affect nearly every tissue and organ. Here’s how eating a nutrient-rich, balanced diet benefits the elderly:

  • Brain function. Improves memory and cognitive ability
  • Chronic illness management. Helps the body efficiently manage chronic conditions like diabetes, cancer and high blood pressure
  • Muscle and bone health. Helps prevent falls and fractures, improves mobility, and strengthens bones and muscles
  • Organ function. Improves the health of the eyes, liver, kidneys and digestive tract 
  • Immune system. Lower risk for infections and illnesses
  • Wound healing. Wounds heal faster and more completely 

Addressing the Nutritional Needs of Seniors 

If there’s an aging loved one in your life that could use some dietary support, here’s how to help them address their body’s special nutritional needs:

Fiber

Fiber is important for maintaining proper digestive health and for preventing constipation. Many fiber-rich foods like whole grains, fresh fruits and veggies are also good for heart health.

Protein

Protein helps seniors stay fit while lowering their cholesterol levels. Because muscle mass decreases with age, protein-rich foods like nuts, poultry, beans and fish help strengthen atrophied muscles- improving mobility and decreasing the likelihood for injurious falls.

Potassium

Potassium is a mineral that’s important for cellular function throughout the body, including the heart, muscles, blood and nervous system. Many fresh fruits and vegetables are high in potassium, including apricots, dates, prunes, bananas, potatoes and sweet potatoes.

Omega-3 fatty acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for heart, brain and immune system health. For seniors with depression or memory loss, Omega-3 fatty acid-containing foods like fish, walnuts, flax seeds and green, leafy veggies are just what “the doctor ordered.”

Vitamin B12

As a vital nutrient that supports blood and nervous system health, the ability of the digestive system to absorb Vitamin B12 decreases with age. Foods rich in Vitamin B12 include red meats, shellfish, organ meats, and soy-based milk and yogurt products.

Magnesium, calcium and Vitamin D

All these nutrients are vital for maintaining bone and muscle health, which helps prevent osteoporosis, falls and fractures. Magnesium, calcium and Vitamin D work synergistically in the body so that calcium gets to where it needs to be. Be sure that your loved one’s diet contains sufficient levels of each one.

Dependable In-Home Meal Assistance for Seniors in Alabama 

Keeping an aging loved one from getting malnourished isn’t easy when you’re busy or live far away. When you need a hand contact Seniors Prefer Homecare. As a fully licensed home care agency our compassionate caregivers can provide the food shopping, meal preparation and cleanup assistance your senior needs so they can maintain their quality of life, independence and dignity.

While serving as an extended family in the home, our aides are also trained to deliver daily living assistance services like companionship care, household duties, respite care, personal care, and even 24-hour or live-in care. To schedule a FREE initial assessment with a Seniors Prefer Homecare case manager in Huntsville or Tuscaloosa, AL, now please visit us at www.seniorspreferhomecare.com.