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| Eating right, no matter what age |
| September 9, 2009 |
By Lindsey Cole The Oshawa Express She has suddenly lost weight. Her skin is pale and gray. Her appetite isn’t what it used to be and her fridge is riddled with spoiled food. She’s your mom, and you’re worried about her health. All the signs are there. She isn’t eating right, if she is eating at all. It may seem like a drastic scenario, but for many children in this area, this situation is a reality when it comes to looking after aging parents. According to a recent online study, conducted over the past few months by Home Instead Senior Care, 57 per cent of adult children caring for an older adult reported seeing these signs in their senior. But what’s more, there are several areas of concern when it comes to bettering the diets of seniors who seem to be losing their ambition when it comes to eating properly.“People don’t have someone to eat with. It’s a companionship problem most of the time,” says Judy Best of Home Care Instead Senior Care in Oshawa.“It’s not much fun to eat alone. People will say, ‘I’m older, I don’t need to eat that much food.’” She says eating several small meals in a day is fine and seniors need to realize that eating can still be a fun experience.“There’s a lack of enjoyment of food. There is a lack of taste. They kind of eat because they have to. That is a common factor. It’s perfectly fine to eat six times a day. Choose a quality snack,” she explains. The study involved interviews with 765 Canadians, of whom 407 were family caregivers and 358 were seniors. Of the family caregivers who were surveyed 60 per cent said the senior they look after relies on help to get groceries and 39 per cent said their loved one usually eats alone. Of the seniors that responded to the study, 17 per cent said they have gained or lost 10 pounds in the last six months without trying. These characteristics are quite common says Best, and the solutions are relatively easy for both seniors and their caregivers.“I advise a companion. That solves a lot of issues,” she says.“If the family can afford to have someone come in, especially around dinner time...that’s probably the biggest thing a family can do.” Caregivers can also prepare single portion foods and put reminders out for their loved one, so they know there is food available for them. Meals that are delivered are also an option.“People forget to eat,” she says, adding sometime seniors should just be open and say that they want to go and have dinner to make eating a social endeavour.“Encourage your family that you would like to see them for dinner. It’s ok to say it.” Seniors can also choose a nutritional drink, like Ensure to have if they don’t feel like eating. Above all, Best says it’s about making seniors realize that they are important, and good eating habits will keep them healthy.“They are worth it. We care about what you eat.” |
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©2008 Dowellman Publishing Corp, All Rights Reserved
©2008 Dowellman Publishing Corp, All Rights Reserved
