Did you know that eating a protein-rich diet is crucial for people in their elderly years? Protein aids recovery from surgery or medical treatments, and speeds up recovery from acute illnesses in which the body has difficulty digesting protein. High-protein diets are essential for seniors to keep their bone density and muscle mass in good condition.
Unfortunately, many people think high protein means all red meat. That is absolutely not the case, and your senior may not want to eat like this. If you or home care have been looking for senior diet plans, here are some ways to help your seniors eat more protein without consuming tons of red meat.
Find Alternative Sources
Your senior may not like eating meat, because they cannot chew meat well or swallow whole foods well. They may not like the taste any longer, or even have dental problems that make it hard. Luckily, there are other ways to get protein into their diet.
- Yogurt
- Cheese
- Cottage Cheese
- Lentils and beans
- Chicken
- Meat
- Milk
- Broccoli
All of these are great for seniors and can easily be added to multiple types of meals. When a senior gets enough protein in every meal, they can avoid major health problems. Home care should always encourage and watch what a senior eats. If you think someone’s protein is low even after a diet change, ask a doctor for more help.
A variety of amino acids is the primary distinction between animal and plant proteins. There are nine essential amino acids that can only be obtained from food, and these amino acids are all present in sufficient quantities in animal-based sources.
How to Know When a Senior has Low Iron
When a senior doesn’t get enough iron in their system, it can cause problems that make them feel sluggish and overall unwell. It is so crucial to get enough vitamins and iron that it is not something you should overlook when caring for a senior. Firstly, your senior mom or dad can get their iron levels checked, among other vitamins. This will help determine how much iron a senior actually needs to eat. You may start to notice symptoms of iron deficiency.
- Fatigue- If your senior starts feeling fatigued or unusually tired, it can be a sign of iron deficiency. It happens because the body lacks the fuel to make a protein called hemoglobin, which helps move oxygen around the body.
- Shortness of Breath- When hemoglobin levels are low enough, oxygen also becomes low, which means they may experience shortness of breath.
- Dry Hair and Skin- When oxygen levels are low, it can impact hair growth. Both hair and skin become weak when there is a lack of oxygen in the body.
- Restless Legs- If your senior is struggling to keep their legs still at night, it can also be a sign of iron deficiency. It is unclear why it happens, but it may happen mostly at night, and is something that needs to be observed.
Caring for a senior takes time and patience. If you want to help your parents, but do not have the energy to observe and watch for potential harm, it is time to look for the right home care provider. This professional can help your senior mom or dad live longer and healthier while still at home.
Aviva In-Home Care provides compassionate and skilled in-home care. We are the Bay Area’s premier provider of in-home care services.
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring professional Home Care in San Francisco, CA, call the caring staff at Aviva In-Home Care. Call today: (415) 795-2203
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