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Healthy Nutrition in Seniors

Posted on by ken

When a senior ages, there can be both physical changes as well as lifestyle changes which may affect diet. It’s important for seniors to eat well because this improves energy levels, increases resistance to illnesses as well as improves metal acuteness. Eating well can also boost a positive outlook on life as well as adding to good emotional balance.

 

Physical changes that affect diet

There are physical changes which can affect diet. Some of these changes are listed below:

  • Metabolism: After the age of 40, metabolism slows down. One reason is because of becoming less physically active. When a person becomes less physically active, it is even more important to develop healthy eating habits. It’s additionally important to exercise to help avoid excess weight gain.
  • Senses are weakened: When seniors get older, sensitivity to salty and bitter tastes become dulled. So, seniors may use more salt on food than what’s needed even though less salt should be used. Switching to adding herbs, healthy oils and spices to food should be implemented instead for extra seasonings.
  • Illnesses and medication: Some medications and illnesses also affect how food tastes. So, more sugar or salt may be used to make food taste better by seniors. This is unhealthy and can contribute to an unhealthy diet.
  • Slower digestion: Because less saliva and stomach acid is generated as a person ages, this makes it more difficult for the body to process certain minerals and vitamins. These would include B6, B12 which are good for the nervous system among other things and folic acid which is necessary for mental alertness and preventing anemia. Talk to a doctor about using these first as they can interact with medicines. Upping fiber intake and taking other doctor approved supplements is an excellent idea to aid digestion too.

 

Lifestyle changes which can affect a diet

Changes in a person’s lifestyle can also affect a person diet. Some of these changes may be:

  • Depression and loneliness: Depression and loneliness can lead to overeating or not eating hardly at all. A way to combat this is to eat with other people by inviting a friend for a homecooked meal or trying out new recipes.
  • Death or divorce: If a senior’s spouse is deceased or if a senior is divorced, there may be little interest in preparing meals for just one. But by cooking meals, a senior can take charge of his or her health and make meals which entice the appetite.
  • Being on a limited budget: By cutting out junk food and processed food, a senior can save money on a budget. So with planning and healthy eating tips, whole hearty meals can be planned, and a senior can still stay within budget.

 

To avoid malnutrition, which is a critical issue among seniors, seniors need to eat more nutrients and eat better quality food too. So a senior should have food which is flavorful, but healthy as well as having healthy snacks between meals. Also, having help with food preparation as well as eating with company can entice a senior to eat healthier. If the senior is having trouble chewing, smoothies made with yogurt, fresh fruit and protein powder will still give the vitamins and minerals necessary additionally. Steamed vegetables and couscous are soft food for people with chewing issues in addition.

 

Eating healthy is important to keep seniors in top shape.

Cold Weather and Health Risks for Seniors

Posted on by Reliance Homecare

Cold weather can affect the health of seniors. Making sure that seniors knows the dangers which cold weather can bring is important. Listed below are some dangers that seniors face in the winter; how to prevent these dangers and how to treat them as well. It is written to carers because some of the signs seniors may not realize themselves, but it is still full of good advice if you are a senior on your own.

 

  • Hypothermia: Hypothermia is sneaky. People may not even realize that it’s happening until their core body temperature drops too low. Because a senior’s body doesn’t adjust to changes in the temperature quickly either, some seniors may not even realize that their bodies are getting colder quickly enough or at all. So, the signs to look for first in a senior who you suspect has hypothermia is if the person feels of cold or is shivering. The person affected may also become withdrawn socially.

 

The next phase is confusion, slurring of speech and sleepiness. In the most severe stage, hypothermia can cause the heart to gradually slow down to a dangerous level also. In addition, to prevent hypothermia, seniors wearing multi-layered clothing as well as gloves, warm boots and a hat is important. If hypothermia does occur though, remove any wet clothing from the victim and wrap the person in a warm blanket. Don’t have the person take a hot shower or bath either because this can cause shock. To increase body temperature, give the person warm beverages to drink and keep him or her wrapped up in the blanket until sufficiently warm.

 

  • Frostbite: Frostbite risk is increased in people who have reduced blood circulation or if the person is improperly dressed. Frostbite can affect the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, toes and fingers. It can cause these areas to lose color and feeling in the affected areas as well as permanently damaging the body’s tissue. What to look for with frostbite is if the person’s extremities are stinging, tingling, aching; reduced blood flow to feet and hands evident by bluish or waxy pale skin. To avoid getting frostbite, wearing warm clothes in layers and keeping dry is important. If frostbite does occur, don’t rub or massage the area which is frostbitten; this can cause further damage. Get the victim to a warm room as soon as possible and immerse the affected parts in warm water or use body heat. Do not use other heating sources such as a heat lamp, heating pad, radiator heat or heat from a stove. This is because the frostbite areas are numb and can be burnt without the person feeling it.

 

  • Heart attacks: With the cold weather, heart attacks are more common. The cold increases the blood pressure, and this increases the strain on the heart. Also, the heart has to work harder to keep a person’s body warm when the temperature drops. The signs of a heart attack are shortness of breath, sudden fatigue or dizziness; sometimes chest pain, nausea, sweating, vomiting, a blue tinge to the skin and an irregular heartbeat. To help prevent heart attacks, seniors should not overdo it like shoveling sidewalks and driveways. Bundling up in clothing which suits the weather also is needed. If any of the symptoms do show up in a senior you love, don’t let them be ignored; call 911 immediately.

 

Following the tips above can help to keep a senior as safe and healthy as possible during cold weather.