Cheese

Aging adults, especially older women, need to consume enough vitamin D and calcium to keep their bones strong and resistant to fractures. Postmenopausal women are susceptible to osteoporosis, a degenerative bone disorder that causes the bones to weaken, thin, and fracture. Cheese is rich in bone-preserving nutrients, and it’s also a very versatile food. Seniors can put it on crackers, melt it into a dip, pair it with fruit, or put it in a sandwich. 

Handling all the aspects of a senior’s health, including diet, can be challenging for a family caregiver. If you’re the primary family caregiver for an elderly loved one and need additional assistance providing high-quality elderly home care, Assisting Hands Home Care San Diego can help. We are a leading home care agency committed to changing the way seniors age.

Purple Grapes

Purple grapes are rich in resveratrol, which is a type of stilbenoid. Resveratrol is thought to reduce blood pressure and play a role in boosting immunity. If your loved one frequently catches colds, eating purple grapes may prevent them. 

Other nutrients found in purple grapes that are beneficial to seniors include beta-carotene, ellagic acid, and vitamin C. This high-antioxidant fruit may reduce the risk of oxidative stress, which is typically caused by free radical damage to the cells. 

Also, as people age, they may be at risk for developing high cholesterol, a risk factor in the development of cardiovascular disease. Purple grapes may lower low-density lipoproteins, or LDL cholesterol. This type of cholesterol, also known as “bad cholesterol,” is the type most often associated with arteriosclerosis. 

Granola

Constipation often affects seniors because of sedentary lifestyles, medication side effects, and poor nutrition. Lack of dietary fiber is another common reason for constipation in older adults. Granola’s high fiber content makes it a good snack choice for seniors because it promotes optimal bowel health and may prevent a painful condition known as fecal impaction. Granola bars and cereals are also fortified with essential vitamins and minerals to further boost colon health while enhancing immunity.

Preparing meals and monitoring their loved ones’ diets are just a few of the many responsibilities of family caregivers, who also need to make sure to take care of themselves. Families who find it difficult to care for their aging loved ones without assistance can benefit greatly from professional senior home care. San Diego, CA, family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties can turn to Assisting Hands Home Care. Our caregivers can encourage your loved one to eat well, exercise regularly, get plenty of mental and social stimulation, and focus on other lifestyle factors that promote longevity.

Yogurt

Rich in probiotics, calcium, vitamin D, and active cultures, yogurt makes a great nutritious snack for seniors. Because yogurt contains healthy live bacterial cultures, it can keep the gastrointestinal tract healthy and regular. Yogurt keeps the gut populated with good bacteria so seniors are more resistant to bacterial overgrowth, infections, and diarrhea, and it also soothes oral pain associated with ill-fitting dentures, canker sores, gum inflammation, and toothaches. 

Whether your loved one prefers plain yogurt or enjoys it mixed with fruit, yogurt is an excellent snack choice. While a daily serving of yogurt is a nutritious addition to a senior’s meal plan, eating too much of it may lead to excessive gas formation in the gastrointestinal tract. 

Because of decreased immunity and other health concerns, seniors should eat nutritious foods to maintain optimal health. There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to manage if their families opt for professional at-home care. San Diego families can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep their loved ones safe and comfortable while aging in place. Call Assisting Hands Home Care at 858-848-7224 to learn more about our flexible and customizable senior care plans.