Nutrition and Senior Health

Home-cooked meals are almost always more appealing and nutritious than commercially prepared or institutional foods. And so much the better if a person can participate in meal preparation. If a friend or family member needs help with meals, consider the following:

• Try to make and freeze portion-sized meals or soups for microwaving. (This is a good task to hand out to people who inquire about helping.)

• Make the kitchen accessible by ensuring key items are within easy reach. Products designed to compensate for disabilities, such as large-print cookbooks and easy-to-open food containers, can make cooking and eating easier.

• Shop for heavy items like canned goods or milk. Groceries may be bought online or by phone and delivered, or you may opt to have meals delivered.

• If the person you're caring for dislikes eating alone, arrange dinner and lunch dates or potlucks if cooking is hard. Be on hand yourself when possible. Some senior centers and other organizations offer group dining.

Also, consider kitchen safety. If confusion is a problem for your loved one, you may want to take steps to make sure the burners on the stove can't be turned on and remove other household appliances, like toaster ovens, that might be dangerous.

Note appetite or weight changes

Talk to a doctor about any unintentional weight loss. If eating poorly is an issue, try to boost flavors with spices and tempt appetites with favorite dishes. Also talk to a nutritionist, who may be able to help you develop meals that not only are appealing but that also address health issues and diet restrictions. A nutritionist may also be able to retool old favorites to meet current health concerns.

Consider whether dental problems may be to blame for changes in eating. Softer foods (scrambled eggs, oatmeal, or even baby foods) and small meals or frequent healthy snacks may make eating easier. A trip to the dentist is in order if ill-fitting dentures or mouth pain might be causing changes in eating habits or weight loss.

A multivitamin may help cover vitamin and mineral deficits. Ask the doctor about the use of nutritional supplements, such as Ensure, for adding calories or on days when a person just doesn't want to eat.

Source: from Caregiver’s Handbook, Harvard Health Publications, Copyright © 2007 by President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Used with permission of StayWell.  Use of Content | Medical Disclaimer