As a caregiver, it is important that you become aware of the eating habits of your loved ones. You may be thinking, but my mother eats three times a day. Ask yourself, "But what is she eating?" Three hamburgers from McDonald's does not suffice for a healthy meal plan. Once in awhile it is all right to splurge. Often, the elderly person will become accustomed to certain tastes such as fast food.
As we grow older, it is crucial that we eat the proper foods so we can receive the essential nutrients. This can sometimes be difficult to monitor if you are a caregiver of a relative that lives in her own home. If this is your case, try to find out what your loved one is eating. Do not force the issue. Instead, bring it up in a routine coversation.
What if my loved one eats all the right foods, but one day stops?
There are several reasons why this may happen. First, find out the foods that are not being eaten. Let us look at steak as an example. If your loved one has dentures, steak may be too difficult to chew. You can try to cut it up into smaller pieces. Second, if there is difficulty swallowing fluid, notice what kind it is. A malt-type drink may be too thick. You can add a little water to it to thin it down. Third, if your loved one seems to have stomachaches after spicey meals, you may want to try other flavorings.
But how important is nutrition? My loved one is older now, so she should be able to eat what she wants and when she wants. Although I can understand this point of view, I also understand that nutrition plays an important role in your loved one's life. Below, I have included two excellent web sites concerning nutrition in the elderly.
My purpose of this article is to make you aware that nutrition is essential, not to misguide you. The link below will help you in the search of this topic.
Nutrition Risks for the Elderly
This site is another excellent resource. It includes everything from nutrition tips to food buying. If you are not sure where to start, this site is a fantastic starting point.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this topic, please feel free to begin a discussion. I would love to hear from you.
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