Home Care in Wellington FL

Diet and exercise become even more important as we age. The same goes for your elderly parents. Without making the right dietary choices, your loved one may be putting themselves at risk of developing a wide variety of chronic illnesses and diseases. If your aging parent is one of the many seniors who are not eating the healthy foods their body needs to stay healthy, then you have probably heard them use one of the following excuses to explain why they are not eating the wholesome foods their bodies need.

Common Excuses for Unhealthy Eating Habits

1. They just have to prepare meals for themselves. Older adults who eat their meals alone usually seek the easiest options instead of the healthiest ones. One way to prevent your loved one from eating by themselves is to have a home care provider offer companionship for the elder, especially during meal times. Having family members come over at least once a week will also give the elder more motivation to eat healthier.
2. They are not hungry. Another common excuse is the fact that they are not hungry. There are a number of reasons your loved one may have lost their appetite, including a side effect of their medication or a symptom of their medical condition. Talk to their doctor to find out if their medication should be changed or if there is another solution that will help the senior regain their appetite.
3. Dry mouth. As your loved one gets older, their saliva glands probably will not be working as well as they used to. It is important they drink between 8 and 10 glasses of water a day in order to help prevent dry mouth. Drinking a sip of water after each bite or adding sauces to their food will add moisture to their food, making it easier to eat.
4. The elder does not like the taste of healthy food. Perhaps the elder refuses to eat a healthy diet due to taste preferences. In order to change their way of thinking, the elder will need to retrain their mind to accept healthy foods in the same way they are able to accept fatty, fried foods. Start off by making small changes to their meals, like adding a salad to their regular dinner. After a while of making these changes, they should start to have a taste for these healthy foods.

Healthy eating will help the senior maintain a normal weight and ward off numerous chronic health conditions, such as hypertension. Try out these tips in order to encourage the elder to live a healthier life.

Source:

http://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-eating/eating-well-as-you-age.htm#coping

If You Or An Aging Loved One Are Considering Hiring Professional Home Care in Wellington, FL, Please Contact The Caring Staff at Assisting Hands Home Care at 561­-829­-3080 Today.