Senior Nutrition, pt 7

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.

*****************************************************************
Some elderly may be committed to specialty diets. And, some seniors need strict dietary restrictions or may require a specialized diet due to personal or religious beliefs.

Dietary requirements proper for elderly may include:

— Low-sodium: Seniors who have hypertension or heart problems are usually required to cut extra sodium from their diets.

— Low-carb: Some elderly may prefer to reduce their intake of carbohydrates or may be required to as part of a plan to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.

— Pureed foods: Seniors who have issues with chewing, swallowing or digestion may have to eat pureed foods, which reduce the need to chew and make the digestive process easier.

— Low-acid: Seniors living with severe gastrointestinal esophageal reflux disease (GERD) understand how uncomfortable this is. Also, those with stomach ulcers or other esophageal and stomach issues may need to restrict their consumption of acidic foods.

— Diabetic: Any individuals with type 2 diabetes are typically required to reduce their intake of sugar and carbohydrates to maintain stable blood sugar levels.

— Clear fluids: Clear liquids may be prescribed for seniors who have upcoming medical tests or procedures, as well as those who are recovering from surgery or gastrointestinal infections.

— Religious: Seniors who are Islamic or Jewish may need to follow dietary restrictions based on their religion.

— Vegetarian or vegan: Seniors who avoid consumption of meat or animal products must follow specialized diets that include alternative sources of protein and calcium.

Food Safety for Older Adults
Seniors are more likely to be living with health conditions that put them at greater risk from foodborne illnesses, so food safety is imperative. These illnesses can also affect older individuals due to aging-related bodily changes such as slower digestion, lower levels of stomach acid and weakened immune systems.

Finally, many seniors struggle with the physical aspect of eating as they age. Conditions that affect mobility or cognitive awareness can make it difficult to consume food and when that happens, it’s important for seniors to obtain the help they need.

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
SHARE IT:

Comments are closed.