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Older adults can face a variety of challenges when it comes to meeting their nutritional needs. Depression, living alone, low income, and cognitive issues are all factors that can make eating healthy more difficult. By helping your elderly loved one make a few simple changes to their diet and follow the recommended nutritional guidelines for seniors, you can help ensure they live a longer, healthier life.
What is a Healthy Diet for Seniors?
Eating healthy can have many benefits, especially for people over 60. As people age, they are more susceptible to chronic diseases, such as heart disease and cancer. Health conditions related to changes in bone and muscle mass also become more prevalent. Maintaining a healthy diet rich in nutrients and following the nutritional guidelines for seniors can help prevent weight gain, diabetes, and the risk of cardiovascular disease. In addition, a balanced diet can support energy and maintain steady blood sugar levels.
Nutritional guidelines seniors should keep in mind generally include:
- Drinking plenty of water — Drinking water and limiting sugary beverages can prevent dehydration, maintain brain function, support kidney function, and aid in digestion.
- Prioritizing fruits and vegetables — Prioritizing fruits and vegetables can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases, improve cognitive function, lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, and reduce the risk of heart disease.
- Choosing whole grains — Whole grains are rich in nutrients and high in fiber content. Benefits of eating whole grains can include reducing the risk of heart disease, preventing certain types of cancer, and helping with weight management.
- Prioritizing lean proteins — Eating lean proteins can help maintain muscle mass, improve immune function, aid in weight management, and promote bone health.
- Limiting saturated fats — It’s important for seniors to choose healthy fats such as olive oil, avocado, and nuts instead of processed foods and fatty meats.
- Focusing on essential nutrients — Some seniors may experience nutritional deficiencies due to changes in their digestive system. It’s crucial to ensure adequate intake of essential nutrients.
- Choosing food low in sodium — Excess sodium can lead to water retention, resulting in increased blood pressure. High sodium levels can also contribute to weight gain and make it harder for the kidneys to filter waste.
Importantly, many seniors may develop conditions that result in dietary restrictions. It’s best to have a healthcare professional create a tailored meal plan that will specifically address any underlying health issues your loved one has — or help to prevent them in the first place.
How Can You Support Your Elderly Loved One with Maintaining a Healthy Diet?
Maintaining a healthy diet isn’t always easy for seniors. Chewing discomfort, medication side effects, loneliness, dementia, physiological changes, and financial constraints can all impact an older adult’s eating habits. It’s vital to take proactive steps to ensure your loved one is getting the nutrients they need for optimal health.
If your loved one can no longer drive or get around easily, you might take them to the grocery store. This can not only allow you to share quality time, but you can also guide your loved one toward healthier options. If possible, cooking together can also be a good way to bond and keep them involved in the process of selecting healthy foods. If your elderly relative lives alone and has mobility issues, consider pre-cut options, or help to prepare their meals in advance.
Other options you might consider to ensure your loved one is meeting the nutritional guidelines for seniors can include:
- Making mealtime a social activity and providing companionship
- Getting fresh produce delivered to their home
- Preparing healthy snacks for them to fill nutritional gaps
- Signing them up for a meal delivery service
- Making simple swaps for healthier options in meals
Early intervention is key when it comes to addressing an older adult’s health concerns. Monitor your loved one for weight loss, fatigue, weakness, and other signs of malnutrition. In the event you suspect they might be malnourished, it’s crucial to involve their healthcare provider. If your loved one is in a care facility, it’s critical to advocate for their needs and ensure they are receiving proper care.
How Can an Elder Law Attorney Assist Your Loved One with Nutrition and Healthcare Matters?
If your loved one isn’t meeting the recommended nutritional guidelines, an elder law attorney can help with navigating the legal and financial aspects of healthcare to help ensure they get the support they need. Notably, an attorney can assist with planning for long-term care, including matters related to nutritional support. They can also help create a power of attorney that will allow another individual to make decisions concerning healthcare and nutritional matters on your loved one’s behalf if they cannot make these decisions for themselves.
If your loved one is unable to care for themselves due to their nutritional needs not being met, it may be in their best interests to establish a guardianship. A guardian can be appointed when someone lacks the capacity to manage their own affairs and make decisions concerning their healthcare matters. However, since a guardianship can significantly impact a person’s civil liberties, it’s best to consider less restrictive options first, such as professional caregivers and meal delivery services.
Contact an Experienced Michigan Elder Law Attorney
If you would like to learn more about how an elder law attorney can assist your loved ones with the legal matters pertaining to healthcare, contact us today. Our attorneys provide compassionate counsel and trusted representation to individuals and families for a wide range of elder law and estate planning matters.
