FinallyitFits

The Elderly & Diet

A sensible diet and a healthy lifestyle is beneficial to everyone but more so the elderly, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk of heart disease, gastrointestinal problems and help to maintain a higher quality of life.

Problems the elderly may have

There are a number of things that can have an effect on an older person’s lifestyle, such as changes in appetite. As we get older we don’t seem to feel the need to eat as much as when we were younger, or maybe through the loss of a spouse the elderly person now living alone is no longer interested in cooking for one.

The use of medication can also have an effect as can changes in financial circumstances, if the elderly person is on a limited income they may struggle to afford to maintain a healthy well balanced diet and lifestyle.

Growing older also means we slow down and the elderly may not get as much exercise as they once did which can be another cause for loss of appetite. Even if they don’t need to take in as many calories it is still important that they receive the vitamins, minerals and nutrients that are essential to healthy living.

Getting help

For the elderly on a limited income there are options available such as community service programmes that are specifically designed to help with nutritional needs. Services such as home delivered meals can be tailored to specific dietary needs and tastes as well as a fixed income.

For the elderly who are able to get out and about there are senior centre meeting points which not only provide company but also provide meals.

Assistance can also be given to the elderly when it comes to planning and shopping and if the elderly have financial problems then they may qualify for food stamps.

The elderly person should also be aware of medical conditions which could have an adverse affect on there nourishment and should always see there Doctor for any problem that reoccurs.

Food hygiene is of particular importance and sometimes with age comes loss of memory which may lead to stomach problems if food isn’t dealt with properly.

Care should be taken to store food at the right temperature, makes sure all meat, fish and poultry are well cooked, food poisoning can be deadly especially with the elderly.

Help can be given in the home in the form of social carers who will come into the home of the elderly on a daily basis and help to check on such conditions.

It is worth checking what your local council has to offer as there are several options available to the elderly and house bound person for assistance in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.