Proper nutrition is crucial for seniors who want to remain healthy and happy as they age. The problem is that aging brings with it a variety of challenges that make it more difficult to get the nutrients they need. Luckily, there are ways to cope with those challenges, especially with the help of senior care providers.
Digestion Changes
Lots of changes happen for seniors as they age, including in their digestive systems. It starts in the mouth, with saliva production changing. Stomach acid levels also change, so by the time food gets to the stomach, the food isn’t as broken down as it should be. Because digestion is more difficult, seniors aren’t always getting the full nutritional value from the foods they’re eating. Staying properly hydrated and eating foods that are easier to digest helps.
Sensory Changes
With age comes a variety of sensory changes that affect nutrition. Diminished taste and changes in how seniors perceive smells means that foods aren’t necessarily as enjoyable as they once were. Sometimes this means that seniors use more salt, for instance, to make their food more palatable. But this can lead to health issues, especially if seniors are already battling higher blood pressure. Eating foods that are flavorful because of herbs and spices or different cooking techniques can help. Senior care providers can make that task easier.
Caloric Intake May Not Match Physical Activity
Another big problem is that seniors may be a lot less active than they used to be, but if their diet hasn’t changed then the caloric intake may be greater than their bodies need. Focusing on nutritional value and nutrient-dense foods can sometimes make a difference here. It can also help for seniors to assess whether they need to bump up their activity level a bit with guidance from their doctors.
Eating Alone Is Sometimes Painful
Many seniors live alone, which means they eat alone. In the past, that might not have been a problem or they might have had a full house and didn’t have to worry about eating alone. But with age, eating alone can be excruciatingly lonely. Having caregivers available around meal times can help with this concern, allowing seniors to have social engagement while they eat.
Medication Side Effects
Often seniors find that they’re taking medications to help them with health issues. That is often really helpful until side effects start interfering with appetite or alter how foods taste. Sometimes those side effects affect digestion, making it difficult for seniors to get the nutrients they need from the foods they’re eating. Seniors may need to adjust how they eat or work with their doctors to supplement the nutrients they’re missing.
Nutrition is such a big part of overall health and wellness for aging adults, but it can be tricky to sort out what is causing issues. Sometimes having senior home care providers there with aging adults offers the experience necessary to recognize what’s happening. Caregivers can also help to resolve lots of other issues related to nutritional challenges seniors are having, along with helping out in a variety of other ways.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Senior Care in Denver, CO please contact the caring staff at FirstLight Home Care of Central Denver today at (303) 953-9575.
FirstLight Home Care of Central Denver provides exceptional home care for seniors in Denver, Littleton, Westminster, Wheat Ridge, Arvada, Lakewood, Golden, Centennial, Greenwood Village, Aurora and surrounding areas.
