Virtually every healthy diet should include protein, complex carbohydrates, fruit, vegetables, dairy, and healthy fats. As people age and become less active they may need smaller quantities of food. However, they still require the same amount of nutrients. Thus, it is vital that dietary choices are made for quality over quantity. We take a look at what assisted living organizations should be doing to provide quality nutrition for the elderly.
Choosing Healthy Options
When selecting fruit and veggies, try to include different colors. Provide whole grains daily, such as brown rice, whole-wheat bread, or oats. Dairy products should be low-fat or fat-free. Look for ones that have been boosted with Vitamin D unless residents spend enough time outdoors to soak up the sun. The best proteins are fish, chicken, turkey, eggs, and lean cuts of red meat. While seeds and nuts may provide extra protein, these items may be difficult to chew.
Make sure that residents have eaten healthy food for the day before offering sweet treats that provide calories without nutrition. See that they are drinking enough for good hydration. Plan activities that gets residents moving physically, even if they can only manage chair exercises.
Eating Problems
Be aware of conditions that make it difficult for the older person to consume enough nutrients in a day. Some seniors lose their sense of smell or taste. This can happen due to aging or be related to their meds. When this is accompanied by a loss of appetite, the danger of inadequate nutrition is increased. This is exacerbated by feelings of isolation, dementia, and depression. Poorly fitted dentures could undermine efforts to chew food.
Where possible, problems should be identified and rectified. For example, if a senior cannot taste or smell, this could be linked to a medicine the doctor has prescribed. It may be necessary to ask for a different drug to alleviate the sensory lack and return the appetite.
Nutrition Boosts
Facilities that offer assisted living and skilled nursing services such as https://mcknightplace.com/areas-served/chesterfield/ need to ensure that each resident gets sufficient healthy food every day. This can be hard when residents have difficulty swallowing, lack appetite, or have dental issues that make eating painful.
Instead of preparing a thin broth, chefs should prepare a thick chicken soup that contains plenty of small pieces of protein with finely cut vegetables. All the water should be retained as it contains the most nutrients. Stews are also good if residents are able to chew. This is a chance to add extra veggies.
Do not use commercial sauces to thicken gravies as they contain too much salt and virtually no nutritional benefits. You can add grated cheese to increase the protein portion of a meal. Extra skim milk with added vitamins and minerals can be added to coffee, tea, and milky drinks.
Make meals more appealing by cooking with herbs, garlic, and onion. Meals should be bright and colorful from a careful selection of healthy vegetables. Provide a piece of fruit for dessert instead of empty calories. Feed seniors smaller meals more often throughout the day.
