The human body is always changing, especially as seniors grow older. They may start to lose muscle tone, experience changes in how their brains work, and even experience changes in how their bodies process nutrients. Keeping up with these changes is important to make sure that aging adults get the nutrition that they need every day, and home care providers can help.
Calorie Needs Shrink
When they were younger, seniors might have needed more calories to function every day. Now they might be more sedentary and simply need fewer calories to sustain their bodies on a daily basis. If they’re not already eating a little less to account for the reduced calorie needs, they might start to see their weight creep up and not understand why.
Nutrient-dense Foods Make a Difference
Foods that are nutrient dense are foods that contain plenty of nutritional value and typically have low or fairly low calorie counts. These are foods like beans, eggs, whole grains, and lots of different fruits and vegetables. Lean proteins like poultry and fish can also qualify as nutrient-dense foods. The key is that seniors don’t have to eat a lot of these foods to reap nutritional benefits.
Seniors Need to Pay Attention to Hydration
Proper hydration helps with digestion, regulating blood pressure, and keeping blood sugar under better control, just to name a few necessary functions. If seniors aren’t already drinking enough water, they’re likely to feel more tired than they should, even if they’re getting plenty of rest. Elder care providers can help with gamifying water intake and keeping seniors sipping water throughout the day.
Oral Health Issues Affect Eating Habits
Dental issues, like damaged teeth or dry mouth, can also make eating more difficult. Digestion starts with the act of chewing, and saliva helps to break down food even more. If oral health conditions are making chewing and swallowing difficult, seniors are less likely to get the nutrients they need. They may opt for foods that might be easier to eat, but that are deficient of actual nutrition. Home care providers can help seniors have access to foods they can eat that are also full of nutrients.
Food Tastes Different
With age comes some odd changes, like an altered sense of taste. This can happen because of habits like smoking or because seniors have used tons of salt on their food in the past and now need to cut back. If foods taste different because they’re bland now or seniors have to find new ways to season their foods, they might inadvertently cut back on what they eat altogether.
GI Changes Make a Difference
The digestive system and the gastrointestinal tract often change as seniors get older, too. Seniors might find that their stomachs take longer to empty, their appetites decrease, and they feel more sluggish overall. Sometimes this happens because of an underlying health issue, so it’s important to mention these changes to their doctors.
So many changes have a lasting impact on seniors’ health, especially on their ability to get the nutrients they need. Home care providers can help seniors to focus on getting nutrition in the ways that best suit their needs.
If you or an aging loved one are considering home care in Bay City, TX for an aging loved one, please call the caring staff at At Your Side Home Care. We will answer all of your senior care questions. Call today: (832) 271-1600.
At Your Side Home Care, provides exceptional home care assistance for seniors and families in Houston, West Houston, Katy, Memorial, The Heights, Spring Valley, Garden Oaks, Hunters Creek, River Oaks, Hilshire Village, Galleria, Cinco Ranch, Spring Branch, Sugar Land, Missouri City, Richmond, Rosenburg, Piney Point, Bay City and surrounding areas.
Our Certified Nurse Aides, 24-Hour Live-in Assistants and Home Health Aides are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We also provide the security and confidence of 24-hour Telephone Assistance, so fast, reliable help is always available when it's needed. To learn more about our homecare services see our homecare services page.
Different people need different levels of homecare. To meet the requirements of our clients, At Your Side Homecare maintains consistent staffing levels of caring professionals. Homecare service is available for as little as a few hours a week, or as many as 24 hours a day, seven days a week
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