Approximately 30% of independently living seniors are estimated to be malnourished, even if they are consuming food regularly. Malnutrition occurs when seniors do not consume sufficient quantities or the appropriate types of food, leading to nutritional deficiencies.
When a senior parent does not receive the essential vitamins and minerals required to maintain their health, their immune system may weaken. This can make them more susceptible to illnesses like colds or the flu, as their body lacks the strength to effectively combat viruses and bacteria.
Additionally, poor nutrition can exacerbate existing health conditions, further impacting their overall well-being. Addressing malnutrition is critical, and one effective solution is senior home care.
With senior home care, a caregiver can provide daily reminders to eat and prepare nutritious, enjoyable meals, ensuring your parent receives the essential nutrients they need.
Here are five reasons why seniors who are aging in place alone may become malnourished:
1. Loss of Appetite
As people age, their sense of taste and smell can change. Foods may not smell or taste as good as they used to. This loss of appetite makes it hard for seniors like your mom or dad to feel excited about meals, so they may eat less than they need. Over time, this lack of interest in food can cause weight loss and malnutrition.
2. Limited Mobility
Many seniors have trouble moving around. They may have arthritis, joint pain, or other physical issues that make it hard to get groceries or cook. Standing for long periods to prepare meals can be painful. Because of this, they might skip cooking and rely on easy-to-prepare, less nutritious foods. Frozen or canned foods are common options but often lack the nutrients that seniors like your mom or dad need. Limited mobility can keep them from eating balanced meals.
3. Difficulty Shopping
If your mom or dad no longer drives, or if they don’t have the physical strength to push a grocery cart or carry grocery bags they might have limited access to fresh food. Often seniors will rely on processed foods or easy to make microwave dishes that they can buy at the corner store so they don’t have to do a full grocery shopping session.
Senior home care can help your mom or dad do regular grocery shopping and stock up on healthy fresh and frozen vegetables and fruits, healthy whole grains, and other nutrient-rich foods that can help prevent malnutrition.
4. Forgetfulness or Dementia
If your senior parent has Alzheimer’s or dementia that can impact their diet and how much they eat. They may forget to eat or may not remember when they last had a meal.
Dementia can make it difficult for them to plan and prepare balanced meals. They may forget to buy groceries or even forget how to cook. In these cases, they might end up eating the same foods over and over, leading to a lack of variety and important nutrients. Without help, forgetfulness can quickly lead to malnutrition.
5. Social Isolation
Eating is often a social activity, but many seniors who live alone have little social interaction. Without company, they may feel lonely and unmotivated to cook. Preparing a meal for one can seem like a lot of effort with little reward. Some seniors may skip meals altogether because they don’t feel like eating alone. Over time, this lack of regular, nutritious meals can result in weight loss and nutrient deficiencies.
With senior home care, your mom or dad will have a companion to share meals with every day, which means they are more likely to actually eat and enjoy meals again.
If you are considering senior home care in Houston, TX for an aging loved one, please call the caring staff at At Your Side Home Care. We will answer all of your senior care questions. Call today: (832) 271-1600.
At Your Side Home Care, provides exceptional home care assistance for seniors and families in Houston, West Houston, Katy, Memorial, The Heights, Spring Valley, Garden Oaks, Hunters Creek, River Oaks, Hilshire Village, Galleria, Cinco Ranch, Spring Branch, Sugar Land, Missouri City, Richmond, Rosenburg, Piney Point, Bay City and surrounding areas.
Our Certified Nurse Aides, 24-Hour Live-in Assistants and Home Health Aides are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We also provide the security and confidence of 24-hour Telephone Assistance, so fast, reliable help is always available when it's needed. To learn more about our homecare services see our homecare services page.
Different people need different levels of homecare. To meet the requirements of our clients, At Your Side Homecare maintains consistent staffing levels of caring professionals. Homecare service is available for as little as a few hours a week, or as many as 24 hours a day, seven days a week
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