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How to Help the Elderly With Nutrition

If you know someone that is elderly, you may be concerned as to whether or not that individual is getting adequate nutrition since getting good nutrition is vital to the senior, so that he or she can maintain a healthy mind and body. Getting good nutrition can actually assist a senior in improving various chronic health conditions, and can minimize the potential debilitating disorders that he or she might develop. With the implementation of a few simple measures, you can ensure that an elderly individual gets the right amount of minerals and vitamins in their diet to remain healthy.

Things You'll Need

  • Materials
  • Medical evaluation
  • Approved vitamin supplement
  • Dental checkup
  • Food delivery service
  • Transportation service
  • Government Food Assistance Program
  • Brown rice
  • Whole wheat bread
  • Oats
  • Whole grain cereals
  • Nuts
  • Olives
  • Avocados
  • Fresh vegetables and fruits
  • Low-calorie condiments
  • Low fat dressings
  • Spices
  • Whiteboard
  • Dry erase marker
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Instructions

  1. The Process

    • 1

      Get permission in writing to speak on behalf of the senior. Set up an appointment for the senior to see a medical professional; go to the appointment with the senior to make sure the correct questions are asked when speaking with the doctor. Get an evaluation of the senior's dietary practices.

    • 2

      Ask the doctor whether or not the senior's medications are causing difficulties with nutrient absorption, digestion, or appetite; if so, see about having the medications changed if possible. Ask the doctor to pre-approve an appropriate daily vitamin supplement that will not interact with the senior's existing medications.

    • 3

      Take the senior to the dentist for an evaluation to assess the condition of his or her teeth and gums; if problems exist pertaining to chewing, have the problems remedied so that the senior can eat without issue.

    • 4

      Sign the senior up for a certified food delivery service so that the senior can have balanced, cooked meals delivered to his or her home. Sign the senior up for transportation services or provide transportation yourself, if the senior needs a method to get to and from the local grocery store to shop.

    • 5

      Contact the local Department of Social Services to find out about Food Stamp eligibility to assist with the financial expense of food. Help the senior gather the necessary documentation and to fill out the Food Stamp application. Submit the application for approval.

    • 6

      Go shopping with the senior and make sure that he or she gets plenty of grains like whole wheat bread, oats, whole grain cereals, and brown rice in their diet. Make sure the senior also gets black and green olives, avocados, and nuts to get healthy monounsaturated fats incorporated into his or diet; add fresh vegetables and fresh fruits to the food buying list instead of choosing canned varieties.

    • 7

      Get condiments, light dressings, and spices while shopping with the senior to dress up bland tasting dishes and to make food more appealing for him or her.

    • 8

      Help the senior set up an eating chart to document what he or she eats and to note what time the senior eats to ensure three meals a day are consumed. Get the senior a whiteboard and dry erase marker that can be used to track daily food intake and to make a list of foods he or she needs to replace the next time he or she shops.

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