Meeting Nutritional Needs as You Age: How Senior Home Care Can Help

As we grow older, our dietary needs change. Our health also begins to change drastically as our risks for osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s, and other health conditions increase. It’s important that seniors maintain a healthy diet to meet their changing nutritional needs. Let’s look at what your senior loved one can eat to help stay healthy and how one of Mazal Nursing Services’ caregivers can help your senior stay on a healthy diet. 

Eating a Well-Balanced Meal

Eating healthy starts by balancing what we eat. For seniors, a healthy plate can be divided in half, with one half of the plate evenly split between proteins and grains and the other half split about 2/3 vegetables and 1/3 fruit. Once you know the proportions of foods, you can look at choices to ensure that your senior loved one gets the nutrients they need. 

• Proteins – Lean meats, poultry, fatty fish such as salmon, and eggs are common and healthy choices for seniors. However, adding beans, peas, and lentils provide needed protein as well as added calcium, Vitamin D, B12, and fiber, all of which are important for a healthy senior diet.
• Grains – Whole grains provide fiber and important vitamins for senior diets. Brown rice, barley, whole wheat bread, quinoa, corn, and oatmeal are all good choices for the grain portion of a senior’s plate. 
• Vegetables – Giving your seniors a variety of vegetables to choose from in meals is important to ensure they get the vitamins they need. Broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, and carrots are all healthy vegetables that can be served in a variety of ways. Leafy greens such as spinach and kale are good to add to a senior’s diet as well. 
• Fruits – Fruits provide fiber, potassium, and vitamin C. Oranges are a good citrus fruit to include for Vitamin C while apples, pears, and bananas all offer additional fiber. A variety of berries – blue, black, strawberry, and raspberry – are good for their vitamin content and as antioxidants. 

How a Miami Home Caregiver Can Help Seniors Manage Their Diets

Knowing what you need to eat and eating the right foods are two different things. Keeping up with healthy eating can be a struggle for anyone. For seniors, who may have to deal with chronic illness, limited mobility, and less energy, the idea of planning and preparing meals can feel daunting. 

An in-home caregiver can help ensure your senior loved one starts and stays on a healthy diet. At Mazal, our knowledgeable caregivers help seniors, 

• Plan meals ahead of time to ensure they get the nutrients they need in their diet
• Prepare meals and snacks throughout the day
• Make shopping trips and choose healthy vegetables and fruits
• Provide companionship during meal time so that your senior has social engagement during their meals

Are You Looking for Home Care Services in Miami?

Mazal Nursing Services offers expert caregivers in Miami who provide top-notch home care. Contact us to set up an appointment and discuss your loved one’s needs.