Good nutrition is beneficial at any age. Benefits worth noting are increased mental acuteness, resistance to illness/disease, higher energy levels, a more robust immune system, faster recuperation times and better management of chronic health problems. Now, however, proper nutrition for older adults is even more important, with research revealing that poor nutritional decisions can eventually lead to cognitive decline and dementia.
It can be hard for seniors to maintain a healthy diet, in part because of the difficulties with cooking for one or two persons, transportation difficulties, or problems standing for long periods of time to cook. Because caloric needs change with aging and less activity, another issue is the possibility that seniors are not receiving the proper low-fat, high nutrient foods their bodies require.
Nutrient-dense foods are high in nutrients in relation to the calories they contain. For example, low-fat milk is more nutrient-dense than whole milk. Although the low-fat milk’s nutrient content is the same as the whole milk, the low-fat milk has fewer calories. Reducing the overall fat content is the best way for the older adult to reach optimum nutrition and help protect against dementia and cognitive decline.
Research has shown that antioxidant vitamins C and E and omega-3 fatty acids help in protecting against Alzheimer’s disease. Vitamin E is primarily found in vegetable and nut oils, as well as in spinach and whole grain products. Vitamin C-rich foods include citrus fruits, such as oranges and grapefruits, as well as tomatoes, spinach and red peppers. Omega-3 fatty acids, found most prevalently in fish, provide anti-inflammatory properties, which are thought to increase memory and learning performance. Fish high in omega-3 fatty acids include mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna, and salmon.
It is also possible that medications or treatable disorders such as heartburn, constipation or nausea can cause poor appetite. Some tips to encourage eating at mealtime are to:
• Serve small, frequent meals rather than three larger meals
• Serve beverages after a meal
• Use colorful foods and a variety of textures
• Consider finger foods that are easy to handle
To further assist you, Dependable Senior Assistants can help you with trips to the grocery store, meal preparation, and companionship during mealtimes. For more information about our services, please contact us at 866-300-2217.