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When Your Elderly Loved One Can't or Won't Eat Enough
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When a elderly person loses interest in food and eating it
can cause caregivers no end of worry. |
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Without adequate nutrition the body is slower to
heal or recover from illness. Muscles become weaker, so the risk
of falls increases. Poor nutrition can have bad consequences in
every part of an aging parent's body.
Many people turn to liquid meal replacement drinks such as Ensure or
Boost to supplement a poor diet when someone can't or won't
eat enough. These products are reported to be nutritionally
complete, and many people will drink one of these products even
when they have little interest in other kinds of food. With the
buy-in of the doctor they can provide a large portion of someone's
needed daily nutrition. If your elderly care recipient has
diabetes you will want to find a meal replacement drink that is designed for diabetics.
Glucerna is
one such product.
Some find that these drinks taste much better when they are
chilled, and when a little ice cream or pureed fruit is added. A
drop or two of flavoring such as coffee, peppermint or orange
extract can also zip up the flavor.
Do be aware that some of these products can cause some people to
have diarrhea. If one brand causes discomfort, try another. Each
is different.
Yogurt, puddings, custards and other smooth, cool foods often
appeal when meats and vegetables don't. Many caregivers find that
during the warmer months they have trouble getting their elderly
family members to
eat these heavier foods. With the doctor's approval you can stir
in protein supplements or a little baby cereal into these cool,
smooth and refreshing foods for an added boost in nutrition.
Home made fruit smoothies and other "shake" type drinks are also
often easier to get down a reluctant eater than hot food,
especially in warm weather. Offer these in small glasses so the
amount is not overwhelming. Store the rest in a covered container
in the refrigerator. This is another way to get fluid into a
reluctant drinker, as well. Beware of those unintended side effects from
fresh fruits: bananas can be constipating, while too many
cherries, apricots, raisins and many other fruits can cause
diarrhea.
Your blender or food processor can be a lifesaver for warm foods,
too. A little broth added to shredded cooked vegetables and small
bits of chicken, meat or fish can easily and quickly be blended
into a tasty soup. Don't forget to use the spices in your
cupboard. Bland and tasteless food won't inspire an appetite.
Once in a while a little walk on the wild side might not hurt,
either (always depending on how strictly your older person must follow
dietary restrictions for medical reasons.) If it won't cause
serious medical consequences try bringing in a fast food hamburger
and a small order of fries, or some chicken tenders, pizza,
moo-goo-gai-pan, an over-the-top fancy coffee emporium drink, or
whatever really strikes your and your elder's fancy. Always having
food that is nutritious and good for you can eventually get
downright boring. A bit of a food fling now and then into the
realm of it-may-not-be-what-the-dietitian-ordered-but-WOW-it's-really-tasty!
might be enough to at least temporarily wake up a slumbering
appetite.
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