Elderly Dietary Problems
We all know the importance of nutrition and healthy diet. When we age various elderly issues occur and our appetites can become affected. This leads to poor eating habits, which leads to nutrition problems, which leads to health problems. If your loved one is suffering from appetite or nutrition problems, it is important to get to the bottom of it. Sometimes the reasons can be subtle, and sometimes loved ones don't want to admit they're having elderly dietary problems. Sometimes they simply don't know. Here is some helpful information that can help sort it out. Always ask a healthcare professional for advice on these matters, as serious nutrition factors may be at risk. 
Loneliness and isolation can occur as we age and become less mobile, or experience changes in hearing and vision. It becomes more difficult to socialize, yet eating has traditionally been an important social activity. Elderly dietary problems can occur just from this lack of social interaction. Make sure you include your elderly loved ones in outings and get-togethers as much as possible, and pay special attention to them so they feel included. And include foods that they especially may be interested in -- but be sure they’re nutritious. My friend’s father hardly ever ate except when he was at a social get-together with family or friends. They always prepared a nutritional twist on his favorites.Our senses change. Aging also causes our five senses to change, smell being one. As you know, smell is directly linked with the sense of taste. So if food no longer has sensory appeal, it isn’t as enjoyable. This disinterest in food can cause severe elderly dietary problems. Ask your loved one what smells are their favorite and what food aromas they enjoy the most. You can also play a game. Have them sniff various spices and foods and identify what they are and which ones they like best. Make sure those are used in meal preparation. Try special sauces, seasonings and dressings. Talk about foods they use to make or enjoy eating the most, and why. Sometimes people who had used a lot of salt on their food and now have doctor’s orders for a low-sodium diet, believe food just doesn’t taste the same anymore. Their taste buds, though, can be re-trained by using seasonings and pepper (there are many kinds) instead. Also try enhancing their sense of smell by lighting scented candles with fruit or spice aromas – but only use candles if someone is there to keep an eye out. Disinterest in cooking itself will contribute to elderly dietary problems. It may seem more difficult as we age, or not as fun when just cooking for ourselves. Or it may have actually become physically challenging to cook anymore. Check with the local senior center -- many offer special group meals, at least weekly and sometimes daily depending on the community. This also offers a social opportunity for elderly. Perhaps family or a neighbor can make a nutritious meal a couple times a week that would also provide quality left-overs. Also consider Meals on Wheels or other community services. 
Grocery shopping (and shopping of all kinds) can eventually become elderly issues, especially if seniors have difficulty driving, lifting, reaching, or seeing. A family member or friend may need to take your loved one to the store. Help choose fresh, unprocessed foods as much as possible, high in vitamins and minerals, to avoid elderly dietary problems. Try to buy enough to have extra basics on hand in case seasonal weather prevents a timely grocery trip. If there is no one available to drive them, ask the local grocery store if home delivery is available. Many grocery stores now have online shopping as well. After you set up a preferred shopping list the first time and save it, it is very easy to re-order and have it delivered according to the store’s schedule.Old or contaminated food poses big
food safety problems
to seniors. Poor food storage is often connected to disinterest in cooking, memory loss, and depression. Loss of vision and sense of smell can also cause problems. Make sure a family member or perhaps friend regularly checks their fridge and cupboards for expired food or items that have “gone bad.” 
Memory issues such as dementia or Alzheimer’s are very serious elderly issues that may cause elderly to forget to eat. Forgetting normal everyday activities, in fact, is a symptom of these illnesses. If you suspect your loved one is actually forgetting to eat – it may be more than just those “senior moments.” Memory loss not only impacts elderly nutrition, but also a host of other health issues. All elderly people should receive routine dementia screening after age 65. Learn how to notice the
symptoms of dementia.
Depending on the causes of dementia, there are situations in which there is available
dementia treatment. 
Money may also be a factor contributing to elderly dietary problems. Seniors may start buying cheaper groceries that are overly processed, high in sodium, bad carbs, saturated fats and sugars, and very low in nutrition. This can worsen or bring on other health conditions, including heart problems, stroke, and diabetes. Check with your county and senior center to see what federal, state, and local programs may be available to assist. Elderly sometimes resist receiving Food Stamps, but poor nutrition can lead to malnutrition, and is one of the major causes of hospitalization for seniors. Some medications are known to cause side effects that affect appetite. Your loved one may not feel like eating, so it is important to make foods available that are appealing, loaded with nutrients, and can be eaten in small portions many times a day (see suggestions below). Our page on Elderly Nutrition Snacks has many easy, healthful ideas to pack in those nutrients, even for nibblers. Teeth and mouth problems may also increase due to elderly dietary problems. If your loved one complains about difficulty chewing, pain or if they have lost teeth, make sure they get checked by a dentist. Poor elderly nutrition can lead to an increase of cavities and tooth loss. And poor teeth, in turn, lead to further difficulties with chewing – a vicious circle. Choose foods that are soft, like whole grain cereals, cheese, yoghurt, eggs, soups, and creamed dishes. Fresh fruits and vegetables are vitally important for nutrients. They can be grated or finely chopped as well as steamed. Find out what dental procedures Medicare and any supplementary medical plan may cover. If there is a university nearby with a dental school, they most likely offer services at very reduced fees, especially to the elderly. Dental students are always checked and supervised by an instructor. End of Life. We may dread the very idea. But it is a fact that towards end of life, especially in the last six months, physical appetite may wane, as well as previous emotional interest and enjoyment of food. If you suspect this may be the case, be sure to consult a medical professional for advice. 
If your loved ones are not eating a lot, it is very important that when they do eat, they take in the nutrients their bodies need. Seniors need to make sure to get enough protein, calcium, zinc, vitamin C, vitamin E, and the B vitamins. Try whole grain crackers, breads, cereals, whole grain chips with a little salsa or healthy dip, natural cheeses, low-salt nuts, seeds, granola, flavored yoghurt, fresh fruits, small pre-cut pieces of meat, and fresh pre-cut veggies -- with a flavorful dip on hand. The less processed the better. Favorite Fruit Nutrition Facts -- Fresh fruit is an excellent means of preventing elderly dietary problems and getting lots of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants that fight disease, even protein. Read this page for some fun facts and ideas. There are over 200 fruits in our stores at various times of the year, so there's something for everyone! Just be aware of washing them well and trying to buy organic and local as much as possible, to avoid disease. See more below. Ask your elderly loved on'es health specialist about vitamin and mineral supplements to help avoid elderly dietary problems. There are special vitamins and mineral supplements available especially for vision, based on a prominent study called AREDS. If your loved one has any loss of vision, ask about these supplements. Dosages for seniors will differ for any supplements, as their systems now assimilate certain vitamins and minerals differently, so can become more easily toxic. It is also crucial to discuss all current medication to avoid problematic interactions with what they are currently taking, with supplements. The elderly love "comfort food" and foods that remind them of their past or happy memories. But if this involves a lot of fat or sugar, changes need to be made -- subtle at first, until they get used to new ways of eating. It is important to monitor diet for the elderly and to assure that they are getting a good balance of fresh, wholesome foods, not just prepared foods from a box or freezer. See our page on Elderly Nutrition, by clicking on the link below. Return from Elderly Dietary Problems, copyright 2009-2011, OneSong, LLC
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