Essential nutrients help aging adults maintain good mental, physical, and emotional health and can boost their independence and longevity. However, many seniors fail to get proper nutrition because they don’t focus on combining as many nutrients as possible in their diets. Take a look at the most important nutritional needs of seniors and how you can help your elderly loved one receive the nutrients his or her body requires for optimal functioning.
1. Vitamins
Vitamins can protect skin health, stave off illnesses and various infections, strengthen mobility skills, and boost memory and vision. Your loved one’s diet should include foods like lean meats, broccoli, acorn squash, lemon juice, mushrooms, potatoes, milk, yogurt, brown rice, and other vitamin-rich items that enhance overall wellbeing.
A professional caregiver can be a fantastic source of information on nutrition and how your loved one can live a healthier lifestyle. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of elderly home care. Montgomery families can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide individualized care plans to meet your elderly loved one’s unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia.
2. Protein
Aging can harm bone health, but the types of nutrients the body receives can reduce joint pain, increase balance and flexibility, and lead to better mobility in the senior years. Some of the best sources of protein for older adults include eggs, peas, tuna, lentils, Greek yogurt, quinoa, turkey, salmon, beans, and peanut butter. By consuming more protein each day, your loved one could preserve his or her muscle mass.
3. Carbohydrates
Many people view carbohydrates negatively, but completely cutting carbs out of the diet could have dangerous consequences. Seniors need to consume healthy carbohydrates to support digestion and lower the risk of issues like constipation. Bananas, sweet potatoes, kidney beans, brown rice, and carrots are healthy carbs to add to your loved one’s diet.
If your loved one has difficulty shopping for food or preparing nutritious meals, consider adding a professional caregiver to your family’s caregiving team. Senior care providers can benefit aging adults in a variety of ways. From cooking nutritious meals to offering timely medication reminders, the dedicated caregivers at Home Care Assistance are available to help your elderly loved one 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
4. Minerals
Iron is an essential mineral for aging adults because it increases circulation and lowers the risk of illnesses and viruses. Calcium can strengthen physical health by keeping the bones healthy, which can lower the risk of falls, fractures, and head traumas. Spinach, broccoli, kale, soy milk, cabbage, oranges, and whole wheat bread contain proper amounts of iron and calcium for the elderly.
5. Healthy Fats
Avocados, chia seeds, dark chocolate, and some cheese products can provide energy and increase brain cell growth. These nutrients boost cognitive health and metabolism, which makes it easier to take on daily tasks and engage in fun activities.
6. Water
Water is one of the most essential substances for seniors to consume throughout the day. The amount of water in the body decreases with age, disrupting various processes such as joint lubrication, blood circulation, and the regulation of body temperature. Therefore, your loved one needs to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of healthy liquids, especially water. Your loved one can supplement his or her water intake by eating water-based foods, such as celery, cucumbers, strawberries, lettuce, oranges, and tomatoes.
If your parent has difficulty managing his or her nutritional needs, a professional home caregiver can help. If you’re the primary family caregiver for a senior loved one living in Montgomery, live-in care is available if your loved one’s health has become too difficult to handle without professional expertise. At Home Care Assistance, we take measures to help seniors prevent illness and injury by assisting with exercise and mobility, preparing nutritious meals, helping with bathing and other personal hygiene tasks, and much more.
To learn about our high-quality in-home care services, give us a call at (334) 593-3988 today.