The body changes with age, and nutritional needs also change. The best forms of nutrients come from food and water. Keep in mind the nutritional needs of senior men often differ from those of older women, which is why you should ask your senior loved one’s doctor for recommendations based on gender, in addition to age, weight, and activity level. Helping your loved one get the following essential nutrients could prevent some diseases and enhance his or her quality of life.
1. Calcium
Essential nutrients like calcium help older adults build muscle and maintain strong bone and dental health. As a result, they’re at lower risk for issues like gum disease and osteoporosis. Monitor your loved one’s daily intake and add plenty of calcium-rich foods to his or her diet. The best sources of calcium for aging adults include sardines, almonds, kale, yogurt, shrimp, molasses, and collard greens. Seniors also need to monitor their portion sizes to make sure they get the amount of calcium recommended by medical specialists.
2. Fiber
Heart disease is one of the top health conditions for older adults, and it can lead to severe consequences, including death, which is one of the reasons fiber is a nutritional need for the elderly. Consuming foods such as pears, broccoli, split peas, berries, whole grain bread and pasta, chickpeas, and oatmeal can lower cholesterol levels. A high-fiber diet can also reduce the risk of a heart attack, stroke, and some forms of cancer, including colorectal cancer.
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 senior home care. Fair Oaks 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.
3. Selenium
Selenium is a mineral that can protect the skin from conditions caused by exposure to the sun. The nutrient can also boost skin elasticity and enhance the skin’s appearance by reducing wrinkles and blemishes. Since selenium plays a critical role in thyroid and metabolism function, your loved one needs the nutrient to protect his or her body from oxidative stress. The best sources of selenium for aging adults are eggs, brown rice, turkey, shrimp, spinach, lobster, liver, and lentils.
If your loved one has difficulty shopping for food or preparing nutritious meals, consider adding a professional caregiver to your family’s caregiving team. Elder 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. Omega-3 Fatty Acids
These nutrients are incredibly important when it comes to physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. Omega-3 fatty acids can protect the brain against toxins and stop amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles from forming. These are problems that increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Consuming proper amounts of fatty fish, nuts, olive oil, seeds, and leafy green vegetables can stave off cognitive problems and preserve memory, which can increase independence and reduce the odds of combative behavior.
5. Vitamin A
This fat-soluble vitamin provides many advantages to older adults, such as enhancing the functioning of various organs, including the heart, kidneys, and lungs. Vitamin A is also crucial to vision and the immune system. To ensure they meet their nutritional needs, seniors should consume plenty of foods containing vitamin A, including dark green vegetables full of beta-carotene, yellow and orange fruits and vegetables, eggs, and fortified cereals.
If your loved one has difficulty managing his or her nutritional needs, a professional home care provider can help. If you’re the primary family caregiver for a senior loved one living in Fair Oaks, 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. Home Care Assistance can be your trusted partner when your loved one needs help with the challenges of aging. Call us today at (916) 485-4663 to learn about our high-quality in-home care services.