Nutrition for the Elderly

By Sienna Nalin


A common concern when it comes to the elderly is they may not be eating properly since they already have many other problems that they have to focus on. This means eating is usually pushed to the side or it is just a difficult task. Nutrition for elderly is vital, we need them around as long as possible to live a long beautiful life and to continue to shed their wise knowledge upon us. Here are a few things to help out their nutrition regime and get them back on track with balance nutrition. (Left: Image by Steven R. Hazlett via Flickr; Right: Image by syphlix via Flickr)

In the United States only, close to 4,000,000 senior citizens are not eating as they should to give their bodies the nutrients it needs. This is a problem that we all must be aware of and try to learn how to help.

First things first, when taking stock of your loved one's health, pantries and refrigerators are a good place to start. If they are bare or contain old food, this could be a clue about the way they are eating.

An unusual amount of weight loss or weight gain can also be a sign of undernourishment. Check the fit of their clothing; you may find it's excessively loose or tight. Other signs include unnatural-looking and excessive bruises and wounds that take a long time heal, which can point to a lack of proper food consumption.

The foremost thing you must do is learn about this problem and find a way to help you loved one so that they can still be here for years to come. Help them understand how they eat and what they eat is an important part of them staying healthy.

Vitamins are needed in a good diet, especially for the elderly that needs a good amount of vitamin C on a daily basis. Vitamin C can be found in fruits and vegetables, so make sure the elderly are getting them every day.

As we age, vitamin D can't synthesize in the skin as quickly, but fortunately levels can be boosted by eating foods with quantities like oatmeal, fortified cereal, egg yolk, canned pink salmon, sardines or mackerel, cow's milk or soy milk and orange juice fortified with vitamin D.

Water is needed to stay hydrated so making sure that the elderly gets enough it vital. They need to drink 72 ounces of water a day.

...More at Seniors and Nutrition: Ways to Identify and Combat Malnourishment - Huffington Post

So take your parents, grandparents, great grandparents out to eat for lunch so that you can kick their health back into gear and have them around for years to come.




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