Eating right isn’t easy at any age, but as adults grow older, it can become even harder.
There are a lot of reasons for this, including changes in their physical, mental, and emotional health. Depression, loneliness, grief, sensory changes, chewing challenges, swallowing problems, difficulty getting to the store, or preparing meals can all reduce a senior’s nutritional intake.
Some seniors have family members or friends in the position to cook extra food and deliver it to them, which can make a big difference to what they end up eating. A large casserole or pot of soup can be hard for a senior to handle. They may not be able to eat so much food before it goes bad, and they will likely appreciate more variety than eating the same thing day after day. By freezing the food in single servings, the senior will have access to a variety of food for a nutritionally balanced diet.
Tips for Make Ahead Meals
Make the food the senior prefers
Sometimes seniors appreciate foods that remind them of their younger years, and other times they find that their tastes have changed. Ask them about, and pay attention to, their current preferences.
Adapt recipes as needed to the senior’s dietary needs
Do they need low fat or extra calories? Reduced sodium and sugar? Get feedback from the senior’s doctor regarding their nutritional needs. While reduced-sodium may be good for their blood pressure, their doctor may decide that it’s not worth the trade-off if they won’t eat enough of it to get an adequate calorie count.
Let the food cool completely before placing into single-serving containers
Once the dish cools completely, you can divide it into a single serving. Muffin tins work well for many seniors’ portion sizes but pay attention to your specific loved one’s needs. Once divided into portion sizes, you can store them in Ziploc baggies with as much air removed as possible. Keep these in the freezer so your loved one can easily choose one, warm it up and have a hot, home-cooked meal with minimal work or clean up.
Label the containers
Be sure to label the containers with the name of the dish and any defrosting and warming up instructions.
Elderly Care Services can Help with Meal Preparation
Not all family members are close enough or have the time or opportunity to cook for their loved one. Elderly care services are another option. Elderly care aides can come into the senior’s home and prepare food for the week ahead. They can involve the senior in the cooking process to the extent the senior prefers. The elderly care aide can take care of the grocery shopping, again involving the senior, or not, based on their personal preference.
Alternatively, elder care aides can come each morning to prep food for the day or can be present for each meal if that better meets the needs of the senior. This can be especially helpful for seniors who would benefit from reminders or companionship during mealtime. Meeting nutritional needs is extremely important for a senior’s wellbeing. Elderly care services are designed to help older adults meet these needs in the ways that they prefer, in the comfort and safety of their own homes.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Senior Care in Lafayette, CA, call the caring staff at Aviva In-Home Care. Call today: (415) 795-2203
Sources
- Six Strategies for Better Sleep for Your Elderly Loved One - December 17, 2024
- What to Look for in Senior Post-Hospital Care Providers - December 10, 2024
- Protecting Your Loved One From Falls When Visiting Family Over the Holidays - December 3, 2024
