Elderly Malnourishment

By Sienna Nalin


The elderly sometimes go unrecognized and noticed. We need to recognize them though because they are wise individuals that have knowledge that can be shared. Not just that though, they also want to live a full beautiful life, so help them do so by helping them eat properly because eating becomes a hard task for the elderly with either no time to or forgetting to. (Image by syphlix via Flickr)

Nearly four million seniors are malnourished in the United States, according to The American Academy of Family Physicians. As most of us have an elderly loved one in our lives, these statistics are a reminder that we must understand the issues associated with eating well and how we can help.

The first step you need to take to make sure your grandparents or whomever you are trying to help out has food accessible to them at all times that is good for them. If they don't do something about it, this just may be a task that they cannot handle anymore.

If you notice that your loved ones weight is different than usual this is something you should try to fix because it means they are not eating the thing they should be eating, or eating enough at all. The way they look will also be able to tell you this.

You must take control of your elderly loved ones life by learning more about malnourishment in the elderly and how to combat it. Also share this education with them because I am pretty sure they want to live a long healthy life.

The body's need for vitamin C increases with age. Seniors should incorporate at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Strawberries, oranges, grapefruit, tomatoes, broccoli, red bell pepper and potatoes are all rich in vitamin C.

Vitamin D is an essential vitamin we all need. The sun is the most easiest way of getting it, but with age it gets harder. Introduce some foods that are high in vitamin D such as oatmeal and egg yolk.

Last but not least, seniors need to stay hydrated and should have nine 8-ounce glasses of fluid a day. Water is best.

...Get more help here Seniors and Nutrition: Ways to Identify and Combat Malnourishment - Huffington Post

With the information acquired you will be able to help the elderly and help them maintain a healthy diet that will benefit them in the long run.




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