Senior Nutrition Guidance, pt 2

Continuing our series on senior food and nutrition, we are pleased to welcome content submitted by Caring.com, a leading senior care resource for family caregivers seeking information and support as they care for aging parents.

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Some of the more common barriers to healthy eating faced by seniors are outlined below.

– Income and Cost of Food
According to published data, the average senior has an income of just over $47,357 per year. Income sources vary among seniors. Those on the higher end of the spectrum relying on savings and pensions. Those on the lower end relying on Social Security benefits.

Experts claim that a comfortable retirement requires at least 10 times a senior’s annual income put aside in savings and/or investments. This means that seniors should have a net worth of more than $500,000 by the time they retire. However, the average American aged 65 to 75 has a median net worth of just $266,400, which leaves a lot of seniors lacking when it comes to an adequate retirement income.

With seemingly endless increases in food costs, it’s becoming more difficult for seniors to access the food they need. Many seniors face food insecurity.

– Geographic Isolation
Living in remote, rural areas can make it difficult for seniors to regularly access healthy food. A lack of grocery stores and farmers markets nearby can make it difficult for seniors — especially those with mobility concerns — to shop regularly. Unfortunately, this often results in selecting frozen or non-perishable items over fresh foods.

The COVID-19 pandemic further isolated seniors, making it more difficult than ever for seniors to combat food insecurities. In 2021, the USDA increased funding substantially for programs that provide fresh and healthy food to those who aren’t able to access groceries due to remote living.

– Reduced Appetite
Older adults often struggle with appetite, most often because of underlying and undiagnosed physical or mental health conditions. When this happens, it can be difficult for seniors to consume enough nutrients to maintain optimal health. Unfortunately, thousands of seniors are living with anorexia nervosa, which is most commonly induced by a reduction in appetite. Most anorexia-related deaths in the United States occur in the elderly, with 12% in those aged 65 to 74 and 28% in seniors aged 85 and older.

JD Miller

About JD Miller

John D. Miller is the founder/owner of Home Care Partners, LLC, a Massachusetts business providing private duty, personalized in-home assistance and companion care services to those needing help in daily activities and household functions. Phone: (781) 378-2164 Email: [email protected] Website: https://homecarepartnersma.com
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