How to Encourage Better Eating Habits for Your Senior

For many seniors, eating can become a tedious chore. It is easy to run into the ruts of eating the same foods repeatedly because they seem convenient. Add in problems with ill-fitting dentures or medications that make digestion uncomfortable, and your aging parent may have trouble getting the nutrition they need. Additionally, she may not enjoy the healthy meals you create for her. Instead of eating nutrient-dense foods, you may discover that your mom gets by on a bowl of cereal for breakfast and peanut butter crackers for lunch.
Worrying over your parent’s nutritional intake is understandable. It doesn’t have to keep you awake at night when you hire a personal support worker to ensure your loved one gets what they require. With the addition of their assistance, you can encourage your loved one to eat better.

4 Tips for Better Eating Habits and Nutrition

Are you ready to give your senior the nutritious meals they require for better health? It is possible to surmount this challenge, especially when you have the support of a home care worker.
Use these tips to get Mom or Dad on the road to better nutrition:

1. Remember to include variety. No one likes to eat the same things over and over. Additionally, consuming the same foods means that your loved one may lack the vital nutrients that other dishes bring to the table. When planning menus, aim for a combination of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and some healthy fats. Canada’s Food Guide can help you when you need new inspiration.
2. Make the calories count. Look for foods that give Mom the calories she needs for energy and to support an active lifestyle. Sugary drinks may taste good but are empty calories with no nutritional value.
3. Keep hydration at the centre. Seniors can suffer from dehydration easily, but drinking only water gets boring. Your primary goal is to ensure that Dad stays hydrated. Encourage him to drink water, lower-fat milk, and fruit juices in moderation. Infusing water with fresh mint, lemon slices, cucumber, and strawberries can make for a refreshing, delicious drink of water, several times a day.
4. Encourage physical activity. Do you remember how hungry you got after playing outside as a child in your younger days? Physical activity does wonders to increase the appetite and keeps the body healthier. Encourage your loved one to take walks, join exercise classes, or find a gentle exercise video on the Internet. The increased activity will encourage their brain to seek healthier fuel to refill their tanks, reinforcing better eating habits.

Enhanced Living with Assistance from Quality Home Care Professionals

Assisting your aging parent with seeking better nutrition doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Utilize the many services from Home Instead Waterloo, ON to ensure Mom and Dad have everything they need to live on their terms. We offer customized home care service options based on your loved one’s situation. Our team can help with medication reminders, cook nutritious meals, do light housekeeping, and sit down for a game of checkers to overcome loneliness and boredom. Our goal is to ensure that you can rest easier knowing your parent is well-cared for while you are at work or taking much-deserved respite care. Let’s discuss the best options for your family when you contact us today.

Call us at (519) 571-1665 to schedule a no-obligation, in-home consultation. Learn more about the compassionate, quality senior care we deliver every day to families in Kitchener-Waterloo, Breslau, Conestogo, Elmira, St Jacobs, and surrounding areas.