It’s dinnertime. Do
you know what’s on the menu at your parents or a senior friend’s house? If they
are home alone, chances are they might not be eating a healthy meal at all.
According to
research conducted for Home Instead Senior Care, lack of companionship is the
biggest mealtime challenge for seniors. In
the United States,
approximately 40 percent of the population age 75 and older – 6.7 million
people – lives alone, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Many seniors need
help planning and preparing nutritious meals. But that’s only part of the
story. So many older adults want good-tasting, nutritious home-cooked meals and
stimulating conversation shared with family and friends.
“Who likes to eat alone? Nobody,” said Sandy Markwood, Chief Executive
Officer (CEO) of the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a). “We
know from the popular home-delivered meals program, also known as ‘Meals On
Wheels®’ that companionship is among the most important needs of
seniors. Older adults often look forward to the delivery driver as much as the
meal.”
Older adults who
live alone face a number of nutritional challenges. Following are the top 8
along with tips on how to help:
- Lack of companionship - Tip: If you can’t be there regularly, seek alternative options, such as friends and neighbors, church dinners, senior centers or Meals on Wheels. The local Area Agency on Aging can help with discovering options.
- Cooking for one - Tip: Buy fresh, when possible, or frozen (not processed) foods including fruits and vegetables. Freeze leftovers in small portions. Buy healthier low-sodium dinners for one.
- 3. Transportation - Tip: This can be a big issue for seniors. Contact the local Area Agency on Aging, a non-medical agency, such as Home Instead Senior Care or engage neighborhood support systems when possible.
- Eating three meals a day - Tip: So many seniors are on prescription medications that must be taken with or without food. Coordinate the food plan with the medication plan.
- Relying too much on convenience food - Tip: Talk with a nutritionist and learn to read labels. Determine the difference between foods that are good and bad for them.
- Loss of appetite - Tip: Make mealtimes an event. Pull out a favorite recipe, help that senior prepare a meal, get out the good dishes and decorate the table with flowers.
- Eating too much food - Tip: The bigger issue is eating too much of the wrong types of food. Buy healthier choices.
- Eating too little food - Tip: Check with the doctor to learn about supplemental products that could ensure an older adult is getting the proper nutrition.
Of all the
challenges, loneliness could be the most daunting. We know from experience
families often lack the time to help their aging parents. However 59 percent of
seniors say they eat more nutritiously when family and friends are around. They
really enjoy having that connection with someone, whether it’s a family
caregiver or a professional CAREGiverSM.
