It might be difficult to get elderly adults to eat when they don’t feel like it. Some aging adults lose their appetite or refuse to eat for a variety of reasons. However, it still remains the case that you are concerned for them and are making an effort to provide them with the nutrients they require.
For seniors, loss of appetite can be a major worry. It is crucial to urge older adults to eat since it is well-known that hunger and a person’s nutritional state are strongly related. Moving into senior assisted living in Arlington, TX can have a significant impact on your loved one’s diet and nutrition. Below are ways in which an assisted living community may encourage aging adults to eat as much as they need to stay healthy.
Give Them a Variety Of Foods
It’s critical to offer a choice of delicious and healthful dishes. In other words, simply providing them with bland, routine meals on a consistent basis is insufficient. To pique their interest in a new flavor or food, assisted living community dining programs allow your loved ones to sample various items on the menu.
Regular Meal and Snack Schedule
Following a regular daily schedule and providing meals at around the same times each day helps aging adults be more prepared to eat at the same time daily. They don’t have to wait till they are hungry before having a meal as many aging adults lose the urge to eat as they age.
Smaller Food Portions
If aging adults see a lot of food in front of them, some people could feel overpowered. Serve smaller amounts rather than a large ones. Alternatively, an assisted living community can consider having your elderly loved one eat three meals and snacks each day rather than serving big portions of food.
High Nutrient Foods
In addition to serving a variety of foods that your loved ones can choose from, the culinary teams also ensure that the foods served to residents in the community are nutritious and can fulfill the dietary needs of your loved ones. Such foods include:
- Cheese
- Egg
- Olive oil
- Peanut
- Chopped meat
- …and many others
Reducing the Need for Utensils
Some aging adults might decide not to eat anything at all due to the irritation of not being able to use a spoon, fork, or knife. As such, the culinary team serves dishes that can be eaten without utensils or use adaptable tools to make eating easier for them, including:
- Fish Sticks
- Veggies like carrots, cucumber, broccoli, etc.
- Chicken strips or nuggets
- Meatballs
Availability of Easy-to-Eat Snacks on Hand
Some aging adults can choose to snack throughout the day as opposed to eating substantial meals and that’s also okay. Making sure there are lots of wholesome, delectable, and convenient snacks on hand so that residents may choose from healthy selections is done daily by the culinary team. Some of these snacks include:
- Full-fat yogurt
- Cheese sticks
- Crackers
- Chocolate milk
- Diced fruits
- … and many others
Keeping Track of What Works
The culinary team takes note of the meals your elderly relative likes, dislikes, and finds challenging to consume or digest so they can adjust their meal plan to meet your loved one’s needs.
