Senior Home Care Nutritional Tips

Comfort Keepers Georgian Triangle Emphasizes The Importance Of Proper Nutrition For Seniors

In order to ensure that your loved one eats healthy, well-balanced meals on a daily basis, meal preparation is an integral part of all our homecare services in Georgian Triangle, ON.

Proper nutrition is very important for seniors. There are many benefits of eating a nutritious diet. Proper nutrition can reduce the risks of a number of medical conditions such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure, among others. In case your loved one already has one or more of these chronic diseases, eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly can help them manage these conditions. Proper nutrition can lead to better resistance to illness and disease as well. It can also have a positive effect on your loved one’s overall wellbeing.

According to the American Dietetic Association, more than one in three seniors is at a risk for malnutrition. Malnutrition is not just the result of the lack of food, but the lack of proper nutrition. As nutritional needs change as we age, many seniors simply eat the wrong foods. Sometimes medications can be obstacles to good nutrition as they can take a toll on a senior’s appetite, which can result in losing interest in food. With the senior home care services we provide, you can rest assured knowing your loved one is following their recommended and prescribed diet.

As part of our homecare services, our caregivers can monitor your loved one’s fluid intake as well. This way, we can reduce the risk of dehydration, which is common among seniors.

Family caregivers providing senior home care should be aware of the signs and symptoms of malnutrition. The most obvious sign is weight loss. Having a home scale can help you monitor your loved one’s weight. Certain physical problems, such as poor wound healing or easy bruising, can also be indicators of malnutrition. It is important for family members to pay special attention to their loved one’s eating habits. Visits during mealtimes can improve food intake as well. If you suspect your loved one suffers from chronic malnutrition or other nutrition-related problems, you should speak with their doctor.

As seniors usually have very distinctive nutritional needs, our homecare services are designed to offer assistance with grocery shopping too. This is important as difficulties with grocery shopping and preparing meals may prevent your senior mom or dad from eating a well-balanced diet.

You can help fight senior hunger and malnutrition by donating food to your local Comfort Keepers senior home care office. For more information, please give us a call today!