Senior Health Spotlight: Daily Nutrition For the Elderly

By Sheila VanLaeken

Dietary changes can significantly improve senior health and increase enjoyment of this new phase of life. Most of us do not realize how much our nutritional needs change as we grow older. Many problems associated with aging (such as insomnia, anorexia, fatigue, depression, diminishing eyesight, hearing loss, fragile bones and fractures) can be the result of nutritional deficiency.

At The Heather Heights Group Assisted Living Residences, we find that many new residents are underweight before they come to live with us. We take care not only to increase their food consumption, but also to make sure that it provides important vitamins and minerals. In some cases an MD may need to prescribe Boost or Ensure to provide extra calories and

protein and to help with weight gain. Some seniors have the opposite problem: excess weight or obesity. These individuals require a Limited Concentrated Sweet Diet and reduced portion sizes in some cases.

Dietary fiber is very important to colon health and function. We serve many fresh fiber foods, such as vegetables and whole grains. Constipation, another common problem in the elderly, can be alleviated or even eliminated with adequate fiber and water. I suggest always choosing whole grain, rather than white, bread and rice.

Sufficient fluid intake is also a common concern. Drinking enough water is crucial to overall health and helps us all to feel our best. We try not only to increase water consumption among our residents, but also to offer alternatives, such as herbal teas, juices and soups, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables.

Many seniors have difficulty chewing harder foods and sometimes omit whole food groups as a result. At Heather Heights we offer many soft alternatives for those residents who find harder foods inconvenient: we serve ground meat dishes, cooked vegetables, juices, fresh fruit purees, rice, and pasta.

Since milk can cause stomach upset, we offer more easily digestible dairy products, such as yogurt and cheese. This variety of choice ensures that residents can have foods from all nutritional groups.

Food, however, is only half of an enjoyable dining experience. At our residences we believe that social interaction while dining is just as important to our residents’ health as good nutrition. Anyone who lives alone, regardless of age, may experience loneliness at meal times. Sharing meals and visiting with other residents as well as family members makes the dining experience a special time for socialization, encouragement, and support. Charlie, one of our residents, has this to say about meal time at Heather Heights: “I really enjoy talking with my friends during meals. We chat about what’s going on and how we like the staff. We feel well taken care of.”

The subject of nutrition has even provided motivation for recreational activities at our residence. We have a monthly “Let’s Talk About Food” meeting, at which our residents can give us their input regarding meals, and a Gourmet Cooking Club, to which residents submit their own recipes. This not only makes them feel involved in meal planning, but they also have a great time socializing and reminiscing about how they used to cook for their own families.

Living in an Adult Residence is not possible for all of our elders. For those living alone, I have the following dietary suggestions:

Eat fresh fruits and vegetables instead of canned. Canned fruits are usually packed in heavy syrup containing excess calories; canned vegetables are usually high in sodium. In both cases, many nutrients have been lost during processing. If fresh fruits and vegetables are difficult to chew, they can be cooked or pureed.
Buy whole grain bread or rice to help prevent constipation and colon problems.
Drink plenty of fluids (water, juices, soup, and herbal tea) to stay hydrated.
Eat dairy products such as yogurt and cheese to help keep bones healthy.
Visit your physician regularly and have lab work done to show deficiencies.
Take a vitamin supplement.
If you have trouble getting out to buy groceries, there are programs that can provide assistance with shopping.
Meals on Wheels can bring fresh cooked meals right to your home if needed.

Later Age is a new life experience. By making the necessary dietary adjustments, seniors can embrace this new phase and enjoy it to the fullest.

Brompton Heights (Williamsville, NY), Orchard Heights (Orchard Park, New York), and Heather Heights (Pittsford, New York) Assisted Living Residences offer the very best in luxury senior housing and assisted living for the elderly in New York State. We maintain a professional and caring nursing staff, available 24/7. Our residents enjoy a family-like atmosphere with all of the comforts of home: meals prepared by our award-winning chef, an old-fashioned ice-cream parlor where residents can meet with each other and loved ones, a full-service beauty shop, and a full social and recreational program.

Web Sites of Our New York Assisted Living Facilities:
Brompton Heights Assisted Living Residence in Williamsville, NY
Orchard Heights Assisted Living Residence in Orchard Park, NY
Heather Heights Assisted Living Residence in Pittsford, NY