Skip to main content

Elderly Care Service Providers Meet Meal Preparation Challenges

Photograph of fruits and vegetables on table, next to each other | meal preparation challenges | Neighborly Home CareMeal preparation is an important element of care for elderly seniors, and this task often falls to family members and other caregivers providing elderly care services. Your dedication to ensuring good nutrition and healthy food for seniors is instrumental in their longevity. Creating appealing, healthy meals that meet dietary restrictions can be challenging, especially for those caring for a loved one with over 3 nutritional risk factors. Neighborly Home Care is here to support you with advice and tips to help you overcome these meal preparation challenges.

3 Common Nutritional Risks

Malnutrition is a common concern for caregivers and family of seniors, and though the general cause is getting too little food, or eating a diet that lacks the necessary nutrients, many factors can affect nutrition for seniors. These include

  • Medication use, especially taking more than 3 prescribed, over-the-counter prescription drugs, can reduce seniors’ ability to absorb nutrients
  • Reduced appetite is common for seniors, as well as changes in ability to smell and taste properly.
  • Developing an illness can change appetites and the body’s ability to process nutrients.
  • Dementia can cause seniors to forget to eat or go shopping for food.
  • Limited income can cause seniors to eat foods that are less healthy and fail to meet their nutritional needs.

Making dietary changes to combat these issues can be difficult and involve many shopping, cooking, and meal-planning challenges. Some problems one can face when adjusting to a loved one’s dietary restriction include:

  • Trying to buy difficult-to-find ingredients
  • Finding adequate food substitutes
  • Planning meals that meet these new restrictions without unnecessary calories that the senior loved one will eat
FAQs on Our Senior Care Services

How to Prepare for Dietary-Specific Challenges

Caregivers can try some of the following meal prep tips to reduce the pressure and ensure that elderly loved ones eat healthier:

Grocery Shopping Tips

Consider the ingredients your loved ones can eat when creating a grocery shopping list. If possible, opt for fresh, organic fruits and vegetables. Involve your loved ones in the shopping process to better understand their preferences. This collaborative approach fosters a sense of involvement and understanding, making the meal preparation process more enjoyable for both parties.

Recipe Tips

One of the common meal preparation challenges people have is finding new healthy recipes for their loved ones. Browse online recipes until you know you can make something delicious and safe for your loved one. When your loved one enjoys a new recipe, save it, and in the future, make enough for more than one meal so you or a caregiver can freeze additional servings for easy future access.

Cooking Tips

Contact Us
Let us answer your questions or schedule an appointment with our in home care specialists
Get in Touch
Are you a Home Care Worker?
If you have an interest in helping seniors or individuals with disabilities we may have the career for you
Apply Online
Free Dementia FAQs eBook
Our dementia eBook answers some of the frequently asked questions about dementia and dementia care
Download

The families we serve keep saying great things.

I just wanted to tell you how grateful we are that Neighborly Home Care stepped in & took over taking care of my Dad when we really needed it, no questions asked. Our caregiver has become part of the family and we know we can depend on her being there every day & taking great care of my Dad. He misses her when she’s not there!

— Daughter of an NHC Client

If your loved one is able, try preparing the meal together. The prep and cooking time will be more pleasant, create special memories, and keep your loved one active and engaged—steam or sauté vegetables over low heat to maintain their flavor and minimize the loss of nutrients. Use herbs, spices, and healthy oils to season food when possible. The senses of smell and taste diminish with age, and older adults may use more salt even though they need even less salt than younger people.

Talk to your loved one’s doctor about possible supplement needs. Elderly adults’ bodies have more difficulty processing certain vitamins and minerals, such as B12, B6, and folic acid, which are necessary to maintain mental alertness, a keen memory, and good circulation. The doctor can provide valuable insights into your loved one’s nutritional needs and recommend essential supplements.

Learning The Nutritional Needs & Dietary Restrictions of Your Loved One

Nutritional or dietary needs elderly loved ones have to follow can be challenging on family caregivers Here are some resources and steps to help you:

Consult with a Healthcare Provider

Regular check-ups with their doctor allow you to discuss any potential dietary concerns or restrictions. Consider consulting a registered dietitian or a geriatric physician for more in-depth, comprehensive advice.

Assess Their Current Diet

Pay attention to what your loved ones typically eat, how much, and when. Also, note whether your loved ones have any favorite foods or dishes they tend to avoid. If so, go back and look at the ingredients for those dishes. If they love a certain dish, try making meals with the same or similar ingredients.

Consider Medical Conditions and Medications

Diabetes: If one has diabetes, their diet may need to be carefully managed to control blood sugar levels.

Heart disease or high blood pressure: Low-sodium, low-fat diets may be recommended for older adults with heart disease or high blood pressure.

Gastrointestinal issues: Certain conditions, like constipation or acid reflux, may require dietary adjustments.

Medications: Some medications can interact with certain foods, affecting their absorption or effectiveness.

Evaluate Nutritional Deficiencies

Older adults are more susceptible to deficiencies in vitamins like B12 and D and calcium and minerals like iron, so cooking meals with high concentrations can help mitigate those deficiencies. In addition, always look for signs of nutritional deficiencies, like fatigue, weakness, or changes in appetite.

Consider Lifestyle Factors

Their physical activity can influence their calorie and nutrient needs. Additionally, if your loved ones live alone, assess their ability to shop, prepare meals, and eat regularly.

Trust Neighborly Home Care for Skilled Elderly Care

All caregivers from Neighborly Home Care are certified nursing assistants or have received equivalent training and passed a nurse aid skills assessment test.

Neighborly Home Care wants seniors to get the best and most affordable in-home personal care. It is a leading home care provider in Philadelphia, Montgomery, Bucks, Chester, and Delaware County. To learn more about our elder care services, caregivers, and other initiatives, contact Neighborly Home Care today.