According to the Administration for Community Living (ACL), malnutrition is a health risk that about one in two older adults face.
Malnutrition can be either undernutrition or overnutrition. Undernutrition occurs when someone doesn't eat enough healthy food and fails to get the nutrients their bodies need. Conversely, overnutrition is when a person "overeats" and gets too many nutrients.
Either way, malnutrition is a health detriment, especially in older adults already at risk of chronic conditions. Fortunately, transitioning to assisted living in Peoria, IL, can help minimize such risks. However, it would still be in your or your older loved one's best interest to learn strategies and techniques to stay adequately nourished in a senior living community.
Our compassionate staff at Heartis Peoria put together this guide to help you get started. Please read on as we share elderly nutrition tips and tactics for seniors in or about to transition to an assisted living community in Peoria, IL.
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) says that nearly 95% of older adults in the U.S. have at least one chronic condition. Almost eight in ten even have at least two! Diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis are among the most common of these long-term health woes.
Older adults with chronic conditions, including the above, must often follow specific nutritional programs or dietary restrictions.
So, if you or your older loved one has a chronic health problem, please have your doctor give you a copy of all their nutrition-related recommendations. Keep this guide handy and use it as a reference when shopping and preparing meals in the kitchenette of your assisted living apartment home in Peoria, IL.
Nutritious meal planning and provision are among the primary benefits assisted living communities provide residents. They have talented culinary teams headed by professional chefs who prepare healthy, delicious, senior-centered meals from scratch. Thanks to these experts, residents can rest assured they can meet their specific nutritional requirements or dietary needs in assisted living.
So, if you or your loved one must follow a special diet, please inform the community. Here at Heartis Peoria, our culinary team can accommodate most dietary restrictions or nutritional requirements for our residents with conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. A registered dietician also certifies our chef-prepared balanced senior diets and meals to ensure each dish's nutritional quality and integrity.
A study published on PubMed Central found that 19.5% of adults 70 years and older self-reported meal skipping. The researchers also noted that skipping meals was more prevalent in older adults who:
Meal skipping is an unhealthy habit, especially for older adults who are already at risk for nutritional deficiencies. After all, aging causes the body to become less efficient in digesting and absorbing nutrients. Meal skipping can compound this problem and put seniors at a higher risk of malnutrition.
To help minimize your or your loved one's risk of skipping meals, choose a Peoria assisted living community with an on-site restaurant-style dining amenity. For instance, here at Heartis Peoria, our culinary team makes delectable and nutritious meals available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
With our community's all-day dining program, you don't have to worry about being unable to eat on time if you can't cook and prepare meals yourself.
Your primary care provider may also have given you serving recommendations based on your current health and weight. Please remember these as you go about your day, as sticking to them can help you or your older loved one maintain a healthy weight. You can write about your food consumption and dietary habits in a journal to help you stay on top of your health and weight goals.
Journaling is also good for the brain; as WebMD explains, it can help reduce anxiety and regulate emotions.
A healthy lifestyle for seniors incorporates daily socialization, recreation, and physical activity. However, all that chatting, having fun, and moving about can make you or your older loved one hungry between meals. You may feel tempted to reach out for quick snacks, which is okay, provided they aren't full of empty calories, added sugars, or unhealthy fats.
Instead of quick "junk" foods, consider snacking on healthier alternatives, such as:
If you don't have any of those healthier alternatives in your Heartis Peoria apartment home and need a quick but healthy energy boost, don't worry. Healthy grab-and-go items are available at the community's on-site bistro coffee bar.
Water is a vital nutrient everyone needs enough of, but even more so for older adults who lead especially active lifestyles in assisted living. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), there's a link between good hydration and healthy aging. Adults who stay hydrated appear to:
The recommended daily water intake starts at 1.5 liters or six cups. However, it's best for adults who engage in many daily physical activities to drink more. Plain water is also the best option to avoid added sugars and extra calories.
Following your doctor's dietary and serving recommendations, avoiding meal skipping, switching to healthy treats, and staying hydrated can help you achieve your health goals as you enjoy life and thrive in assisted living in Peoria, IL.
At Heartis Peoria, we'll be with you every step of the way. Our caring and compassionate staff, available 24/7, plus our culinary experts, will happily help you or your older loved one overcome age-related nutritional challenges.
Schedule a tour today to see our warm, lovely senior living community in person!