With the holidays drawing near, you may be thinking about family gatherings and festive meals centered around favorite foods and traditions. But what about the rest of the year? Are your family members—particularly elderly loved ones—getting proper nutrition on a regular basis? While holiday feasts may be an exception, many individuals quietly grapple with malnutrition in seniors for many different reasons. The first step to helping older adults stay nourished and healthy all year is learning about the challenges they are facing.
Health Conditions and Medications
For a lot of older adults, chronic health issues plus the medications used to treat them play a large role in their battle with malnutrition. Conditions such as heart disease, cancer, or digestive tract disorders can limit food consumption or decrease the body’s ability to absorb essential nutrients. Furthermore, medications commonly prescribed for these ailments could possibly have negative effects, including a decreased appetite, altered taste, or nausea, which can result in a lack of desire for food.
In many cases, mental health conditions like depression or anxiety also play a role in malnutrition. When senior loved ones are feeling emotionally overwhelmed or isolated, they might not have the drive to cook meals or eat regularly. Addressing both physical and mental health issues is essential to ensure senior loved ones can maintain proper nutrition.
Grief and Other Challenges From Losing a Spouse
The loss of a partner can have a profound effect on eating habits, and even more so if the person relied on their partner for the preparation of meals. This is particularly common for men who might not have been the main cook in the household. After losing a spouse, they might not have the abilities or experience needed to cook for themselves, resulting in reliance on processed or convenience foods that don’t have important nutrients.
Grief and loneliness can further exacerbate this dilemma. Meals that were once enjoyed with someone you care about now feel empty, and the motivation to make healthy, balanced meals diminishes. Over time, this can lead to poor eating habits and nutritional deficiencies. Ensuring your loved one has support in learning to prepare nutritious meals or arranging for meal deliveries can help ease these challenges.
Mobility and Transportation Hurdles
Access to healthy food is another significant barrier that many seniors face. Mobility limitations, like arthritis or balance issues, can make it hard for seniors to get to the grocery store or carry heavy bags of groceries. People who live in rural areas or are no longer able to drive might also struggle with transportation, which makes it difficult to obtain fresh food on a consistent basis.
While grocery delivery services can be found in many areas, seniors may not be confident with technology or may find such services too expensive. In addition, some seniors may depend upon food pantries or other community resources, but these often provide non-perishable items that are less nutrient-dense than fresh produce or lean proteins.
The Importance of Support and Resources
So what can you do if you suspect an older family member is finding it challenging to maintain proper nutrition?
- Take a look at MyPlate for Older Adults for helpful guidelines.
- Address any underlying issues by scheduling a checkup with the physician.
- Be familiar with the signs: weight loss, weakness, or a lack of interest in food.
One of the best ways to help is simply by contacting JFS Care. We can help protect against malnutrition in seniors by:
- Sharing in mealtimes so that they are more fun.
- Planning and preparing nutritious and delicious meals.
- Providing transportation and accompaniment to buy groceries (or taking care of grocery shopping for the person).
- And more!
Give us a call at (213) 383-2273 any time to learn more about our in-home care services in West Los Angeles, Sherman Oaks, Santa Monica, and throughout Los Angeles County.