Nutrition is a challenging topic for seniors. It’s more important for older people to eat right than it is for younger people, but many of them have special dietary needs that exclude many of their favorite foods.
It’s not just about eating right, though—many older people struggle to eat enough food at all. From reduced appetite and coordination to dry mouth and trouble swallowing, many common conditions can make the act of eating itself harder.
Here’s the good news: If your loved one is having trouble getting the food they need, there are plenty of resources in Columbus and Central Ohio that can help. Here are some of our favorites:
How to Help Central Ohio Seniors Eat Right
Getting enough nutritious food isn’t easy for most seniors, but the Central Ohio area has a number of great options to help. From farm-fresh ingredients and shared community meals to guidance from licensed dietary experts, there are plenty of dietary resources in and around Columbus.
- Hit the Farmer’s Market
As we age, our appetite tends to diminish, but our actual need for food doesn’t. On top of that, tastebuds tend to degrade with age, so even seniors’ favorite dishes can start to taste bland and uninspiring. These and other factors make it hard for older people to motivate themselves to eat enough, which is why delicious meals are an important part of maintaining their health.
To prepare delicious, healthy meals, you need fresh, high-quality ingredients—and there’s nobody better to get them from than the farmers themselves. The biggest one is the Worthington Farmer’s Market, where you’ll find nearly 100 local vendors, but it’s far from the only option. Many farmers’ markets in the region even run indoors during the winter, so you’ll never have to go without the freshest produce, meats, cheeses and handmade foods.
The farmer’s market might be a great spot for grocery shopping, but it’s even better as an outing to enjoy with your loved one. If you have a recipe you’d like to try together, going to the farmer’s market with them to pick up ingredients is a great way to turn a chore into a fun activity. On top of that, it’s also a great way to get some movement, connect with the community and make new friends.
- Try Cooking Together—with Assistance
If a delicious home-cooked meal isn’t enough to rouse your loved one’s appetite, another great way to make food more appealing is to turn meals into exciting events. For example, try a build-your-own-pizza night with the family, where each person can assemble their own personal pizza from a selection of prepared ingredients. By adding a little excitement combined with agency, you can help make mealtimes something to get excited about.
Want to turn it up a notch? Try bringing your loved one to one of The Kitchen’s participatory dinner parties. These unique events ask all guests to work together on a dinner that they’ll then share (with a little help from the supervising culinary professionals, of course). The result isn’t just a delicious meal: It’s a unique opportunity for them to connect with family and make new friends. The reduced prep and cleanup time of a professional environment also makes it easier for seniors with fatigue or mobility issues who may struggle to cook at home.
- Get Them a Nutrition Coach
There’s a reason many people don’t end up keeping to a healthy diet: It’s hard. Modifying eating habits in a meaningful and lasting way is a real challenge for people of all ages—and seniors even more so. Not only do they have to adopt new habits late in life, they also have to contend with a slew of barriers from dry mouth and nausea to doctor-mandated restrictive diets. Put all those factors together, and it becomes very difficult for older people to find a healthy diet they actually like.
Fortunately, there are professionals available who can help. A licensed dietitian like Andrea Burkley of Fully Nourished Nutrition won’t just give your loved one another list of foods to avoid; they’ll factor in their dietary needs and tastes, and work with them to build a diet that’s not just edible, but actually enjoyable.
Helping seniors find an appealing diet that fits their dietary needs is crucial, but that’s just the surface of what a dietitian can do for them. A dietitian can help them overcome both emotional and practical barriers to eating right. They can work with your loved one to build a strategy that works for their particular needs, so they can set nutrition goals and build sustainable, healthy eating habits.
Get Help Preparing Meals in Columbus, OH
Meeting dietary needs can be a real challenge for many seniors, but the resources available in Columbus can make it a lot easier. From fresh ingredients and community meals to licensed dietitians who can offer coaching, Columbus has plenty of options for older people struggling to eat right.
If a senior in your life needs a little more help with nutrition, FirstLight Home Care of Central Ohio is here for them. Our skilled caregivers will listen to your loved one’s wants and needs and cook them delicious meals that they can actually eat.
Want to learn more about how our caregivers can help a senior in your life get the food they need? Contact us today!
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