With the holidays nearing, you may be thinking about family gatherings and festive meals centered around favorite foods and traditions. But what about the other parts of the year? Are your family members – particularly elderly loved ones – getting proper nutrition on a daily basis? While holiday meals might be an exception, many older adults quietly suffer from malnourishment for many reasons. Step one to helping older loved ones stay nourished and healthy year-round is learning about the senior nutrition challenges they may be facing.
Health Issues and Medications
For a lot of older adults, chronic health issues and the medications used to treat them play a substantial role in their struggle with malnutrition. Conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, or digestive disorders can limit food consumption or lower the body’s ability to absorb essential nutrients. Additionally, medications commonly prescribed for these conditions may have side effects including nausea, a decreased appetite, or altered taste, which can lead to a lack of interest in food.
In some cases, mental health conditions like depression or anxiety also play a role in malnutrition. When senior loved ones are feeling emotionally overwhelmed or isolated, they might not have the desire to make meals or eat regularly. Addressing both mental and physical health issues is very important to make sure senior loved ones can maintain proper nutrition.
Grief and Other Complications From Losing a Spouse
The death of a partner can have a profound effect on diet, and even more so if the person relied on their partner for the preparation of meals. This is particularly common for men who may not have been the primary cook in the home. After losing a spouse, they may not have the skills or experience necessary to cook for themselves, ultimately causing reliance on processed or convenience foods that don’t have important nutrients.
Loneliness and grief can further exacerbate this dilemma. Meals that were once shared with someone you care about now feel empty, and the motivation to prepare healthy, balanced meals diminishes. As time passes, this can result in poor eating habits and nutritional deficits. Ensuring your loved one has support in learning to make simple, nutritious meals or arranging for meal deliveries can help relieve these challenges.
Mobility and Transportation Hurdles
Access to healthy food is yet another significant barrier that a lot of older adults face. Mobility limitations, such as arthritis or balance issues, can make it challenging for seniors to get to the supermarket or carry heavy bags of groceries. Individuals who live in remote areas or are no longer able to drive may also struggle with transportation, rendering it difficult to obtain fresh, healthy food on a regular basis.
While grocery delivery services are available in many areas, older adults may not be comfortable with technology or may find such services too costly. In addition, some seniors may count on food pantries or other community resources, but these often provide non-perishable products that are less nutrient-dense than fresh produce or lean proteins.
The Importance of Support and Resources for Senior Nutrition Challenges
So what can you do if you suspect an older family member is struggling to maintain proper nutrition?
- Understand the signs: losing weight, weakness, or an absence of interest in food.
- Address any underlying issues by scheduling a checkup with the health care provider.
- Check out the MyPlate for Older Adults for helpful recommendations.
One of the best ways to help is simply by contacting Comfi-Kare Homecare. We can:
- Provide transportation and accompaniment to buy groceries (or take care of food shopping for the person).
- Plan and prepare delicious, nutritious meals.
- Share in mealtimes so that they are more fulfilling.
- And more!
Reach out to us at 240-750-6617 any time for more information on our senior care services in Bethesda, Rockville, Silver Spring, and the surrounding areas.