The Crucial Role Nutrition Plays in Senior Home Care

Family caregivers have many duties, including promoting healthy eating. The foods seniors eat have a direct impact on their mental, physical, and emotional health, which makes it an important aspect of the caregiving process. Here are some of the reasons seniors need to eat nutritious meals and snacks on a daily basis. 

Reduces the Risk of Obesity 

Overeating leads to excessive weight gain, and eating unhealthy foods is another factor. When seniors continue to gain weight, their risk of becoming obese increases. Obesity can contribute to many health conditions, including kidney disease, diabetes, depression, and some cancers. The extra weight on your loved one’s joints could cause physical disabilities and mobility issues. Eating unprocessed foods full of protein, plant oils, whole grains, and healthy fats may boost your loved one’s metabolism, providing more energy to work out and lose weight. 
If your loved one needs encouragement to eat healthier foods or focus on other lifestyle factors, consider hiring a professional caregiver. In Dayton, Ohio, home care agencies can be a great boon to seniors. With the help of the caregivers at Home Care Assistance, your aging loved one can lead a happier and healthier life. We offer a revolutionary program called the Balanced Care Method, which encourages seniors to eat nutritious foods, exercise and socialize regularly, and focus on other lifestyle factors that increase life expectancy.

Boosts Heart Health 

With good nutrition habits, seniors can boost their heart health and reduce the risk of strokes, heart attacks, and other severe health conditions. Nutrition is extremely important for senior in-home care because the foods caregivers encourage their loved ones to eat can satisfy their hunger and help the heart remain healthy. To ensure your loved one receives the nutrients he or she needs, develop a meal plan based on foods that have been approved by his or her doctor.
You may not always have the time to create a nutritious diet plan for your loved one. Families who find it difficult to care for their aging loved ones without assistance can benefit greatly from professional respite care. Dayton, Ohio, family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties can turn to Home Care Assistance. Using our proprietary Balanced Care Method, our respite 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.

Staves off Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease 

As adults age, their mental health tends to decrease. However, the foods they eat can preserve mental health. For example, olive oil and salmon are fatty foods that provide the antioxidants seniors need to fight against free radicals that attack the brain and cause memory loss. Family caregivers who promote healthy eating can help seniors stave off dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Nutrition, combined with physical activity and socialization, can enhance the way seniors process information and boost the following skills:

• Memory
  
• Comprehension
  
• Problem solving
  
• Critical thinking
  

Lowers the Risk of Eating Disorders 

Eating disorders are on the rise in seniors because of their poor eating habits. Older adults with aches, pains, and limited mobility may not have the strength and patience to cook healthy meals, and some don’t eat as often as they should because they are ashamed of their body image and want to lose weight quickly. These negative habits can lead to eating disorders. However, incorporating nutrition into in-home care can lower the risk of eating disorders in the elderly and boost their overall health. Make healthy eating fun by encouraging your loved one to try new recipes.
If you need help making sure your loved one follows a nutritious diet, consider hiring a professional caregiver. Dayton home care experts are available to provide high-quality care to seniors on an as-needed basis. From assistance with mobility and exercise to providing transportation to the doctor’s office and social events, there are a variety of ways professional caregivers can help your aging loved one continue to live independently. If your aging loved one wants to enjoy a high quality of life in the comfort of home, call Home Care Assistance at [hca_phone].

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