I had a call today from the granddaughter of a 90-year-old woman who didn’t understand why grandma couldn’t find a caregiver who would cook a simple, soft food diet that could allow her to enjoy home-cooked meals again. The granddaughter said she used to do the cooking, but she just didn’t have the time anymore. And her grandmother was becoming less and less motivated to eat.
Well, of course. We don’t stop enjoying food just because we age, or our taste buds change, or we have problems chewing or swallowing. Providing nutritious meals is an important part of what we do at Home Instead Senior Care, and all caregivers, family or otherwise, need to find ways to prompt good nutrition and food satisfaction.
Nutrition has been called the first line of defense in the battle for seniors to stay strong and healthy. Recent research conducted for Home Instead Senior Care found 62 percent of adult children caring for a senior reported problems with meal planning due to their loved one’s health conditions or the fact that they’re taking three or more medications per day, which in turn caused loss of appetite and depression.
The good news is that caregivers can head off a crisis…by knowing the foods, dietary restrictions and habits that can keep seniors healthy. According to the University of Maryland’s College of Nutrition, here are 12 foods, in moderation, that seniors shouldn’t live without: oatmeal, eggs, yogurt, blueberries, apples, fish, chicken, broccoli, soy, sweet potatoes and squash, rice as well as dark chocolate.
If your senior relies on you to stock his or her cupboard with healthy foods, make the most of it. Food is at the core of our lives– it’s the smell, color, feel, texture and social context. All of this is what makes a meal enjoyable. And don’t forget that all-important ingredient — companionship — which no senior should be without. A dining companion is the icing on the cake for an older adult who often eats many of his or her meals alone.
For your free booklet “Cooking Under Pressure: Great Nutrition Tips,” call us at 661-254-8701 or e-mail charlenep@homeinstead.com . Charlene Perrone is co-owner of the Santa Clarita/Antelope Valley office of Home Instead Senior Care, the world’s largest non-medical home care company.