Is Your Aging Loved One Getting The Right Nutrition?

It is a slippery slope. We all know what it feels like when our diet is off. When good, nutritious food is replaced by lower quality, convenience food, or no food at all (skipped meals)- our body feels terrible, our mood goes downhill, and our whole outlook takes a nosedive. Many times, when we are in that fog, we don’t see it. We just know it feels awful and it is hard to see through it.
 
For an aging loved one who wishes to remain on their own in their home, it is on them to prepare and consume the right nutrition to maintain good health- which in turn enables them to remain at home. The problem arises when, over time, a sneaky intruder comes on the scene. That intruder comes in the form of procrastination and speaks two words.
 
“Why bother” are two dangerous words to live on your own by. The longer a person waits to make a change, the tougher it becomes and the stronger the habit develops. For a senior who lives on their own, it might seem like there is no problem. A little laziness, a little convenience- no big deal right?!  For one day it is not a big deal. For one week- probably still manageable. But when poor eating habits are  repetitive, the body will speak out and will speak out loudly in the effort to be heard.
 
When you visit, if you are finding a lack of food or spoiled food in the fridge, if you notice your loved one is loading up on TV dinners and other high sodium and low quality foods, or notice a change in their tone to the sound, similar to “why bother”, it might be time to learn more of what is going on and what is NOT going on.
 
You know from experience that being proactive opens the door to ease in change. A well designed offer of support before things go too far is helpful and less intrusive to risk control. Being inclusive and bringing your loved one on board is easier when the idea is simple and straightforward. “To try it out”.
 
Earlier this year I collaborated with Steph Todd of www.mealplanaddict.com. Together we created a step by step process to help families who have concerns about their aging loved one’s nutritional health and eating habits, while living on their own. It is a way to support their wishes to remain at home AND ensure good eating habits to keep them there longer.
 
You can find it here… https://www.getafriendindeed.com/library.html

Of course, if you need some help or find that your schedule just won’t allow for it, feel free to reach out. Our Friends will be happy to help!