Helping seniors with best nutrition

Perhaps you heard some people saying and/or encouraging their biological children, adopted children, grandchildren and neighbours to “save for a rainy day, be thrifty, learn to stretch your dollar, hard work brings its reward,” and so on. The fact is you can learn a lot from others, such as your parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, teachers, community residents, and colleagues, just to list a few. By listening you may probably avoid making similar mistakes, and note key points in the discussion that can aid in your development and advancement.

From another perspective, you should note that by beginning early in life to adopt a healthy lifestyle, consume a nutritious diet, manage your weight, and participating regularly in physical activities (such as walking, jogging, swimming, cricket, football, etc) may more than likely help individuals avoid the physical and mental deteriorations associated with ageing (Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 2012). Today’s article will focus on nutrition management for seniors.

Caring is critical Moreover, caring for the elderly is critical. The World Health Organization documented that in many populations people are ageing, which can present challenges and opportunities. These of course may be identified as “the demand for healthcare and long-term care, the need for a larger and better trained workforce, and creating environments that are more age-friendly.” The focus is to help seniors maintain their health, live longer and enjoy a better quality of life.

In addition, the Global Strategy and action plan on ageing and health (2014) which can be described as a public health framework for co-ordinated global action, placed emphasis on the significance of healthy ageing as a public health priority, and calls for all countries to commit to action in caring for older adults, for example aligning health systems, development of sustainable and equitable systems of long-term care. They noted that globally populations are ageing quickly, and within low and middle-income countries some of these rapid changes are occurring.

Therefore, they emphasised that it is essential to promote health and wellness among seniors, and to build systems that are appropriate to meet the needs of older adults; for making such wise investments can be beneficial as seniors can possibly be free to be, and to do what they value most.

Overall, “the strategy is complementary to existing commitments, approaches and platforms which include universal health coverage, social determinants of health, and reducing the prevalence, morbidity, and mortality of the chronic non-communicable diseases, as well as disability, violence and injury prevention, being innovative in developing age-friendly cities and communities, working collaboratively to develop and strengthen human resources for health, person- centred and integrated care, also tackling dementia, and ensuring provision of palliative care.”

Barriers affecting health As people age they usually experience physical, mental, and social changes. These changes tend to influence nutritional needs.

Hence, seniors should have access to and availability of healthy foods that are wholesome, nutritious, fresh and of good quality, and beverages such as water in plain and flavoured forms. But sometimes they might face challenges in maintaining their health, these include living conditions, food preferences, price of food, medical treatment for chronic diseases as well as utilising pension funds to support children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Many are faced with living alone perhaps due to several reasons such as the loss of a spouse, children may have migrated, neglect by other relatives or they never married.

Several issues can combine to limit the to amount of money available for living expenses; and render them unable to perform activities for daily living such as bathing, dressing, cooking, cleaning and laundry. Studies show that poor nutrition among the elderly may more than likely be associated with nutrient deficiencies, and probably may increase the potential risk for poorer health outcomes and longer hospital stays, as well as increases in complications and mortality

Helpful hints The aim here is to encourage adequate dietary intakes, which will aid them in meeting daily nutritional requirements; having balanced meals and healthy snacks; maintain weight; prevent and/or minimise complications associated with disease. Encouraging participation in physical activity is highly recommended.

Physical activity helps to build strength, maintain bone density, improve balance, co-ordination, and mobility, decreases risk of falling and helps the elderly to perform daily activities.

In meal planning, meal managers and caregivers should use the Caribbean Food Groups as a guide. Be sure to include good sources of complex carbohydrates from the staples group such as ground provision, brown rice, starchy fruits, whole grains and whole grain products; protein from the legumes (all types of peas and beans), and foods from animals such as lean meats, poultry, fish with edible bones (sardines), eggs, milk and milk products; together with fruits and vegetables which contain vitamins, minerals, and dietary fibre; and fats from the fats and oils group such as butter, mayonnaise, avocado, peanut butter, olive oil, coconut oil, vegetable oil and so on.

Other dietary considerations –some seniors might also be on therapeutic diets (diets with some restrictions) prescribed by the medical doctor, be sure to follow his/ her advice. You may schedule a visit with a registered dietitian or nutritionist to get assistance with menu planning. While others may probably need to modify the texture of their food to a softer consistency ranging from crushed, finely ground, chopped or pureed; this can probably aid people with dentition problems and/or swallowing difficulties.

Whatever the case, the meals should be tasty.

Claudette Mitchell, PhD, RD is an Assistant Professor, University of the Southern Caribbean, School of Science, Technology, and Allied Health