Healthy Eating for the Elderly – Easy Tips for Carers

Caring for an elderly loved one comes with many challenges, and one of the most important is making sure they eat well and stay hydrated. Good nutrition plays a huge role in maintaining their health and overall well-being. It helps keep their immune system strong, supports recovery from illness and ensures they feel their best day to day.

However, as people age, eating can sometimes become more difficult. Issues like loss of appetite, trouble swallowing or medical conditions can make mealtimes harder than they should be. As a caregiver, you’re there to make sure they get the nourishment they need, while also making mealtimes something they can enjoy and look forward to.

This quick guide offers simple, practical tips for carers to help you support healthy eating habits in those you care for.

Recognising the causes of malnutrition

If your loved one isn’t getting the right nutrition, it can make it harder for their body to recover from illness or manage existing health conditions. Malnutrition can be a serious concern for the elderly, often leading to weakened immune systems, slower recovery from illness and a reduced quality of life.

Some common reasons why elderly individuals may not be getting enough nutrients include:

Medical conditions: Certain illnesses, like cancer, diabetes or heart disease, can affect appetite or the body’s ability to absorb nutrients.
Medications: Some medications can interfere with digestion or suppress appetite, making it difficult for your loved one to get the nutrients they need.
Dental issues: Problems with dentures or missing teeth can make eating difficult or painful.
Swallowing and chewing difficulties: Conditions like stroke, Parkinson’s disease or other neurological disorders can make it harder for them to eat and drink.
Loss of appetite: As we age, it’s not uncommon for older adults to lose interest in food, either due to physical changes or emotional factors.
Changes in taste and smell: A reduced sense of taste and smell can make food seem less appealing, leading to decreased food intake.
Depression: Feeling low or isolated can diminish a person’s interest in food and mealtimes.

Using the Eatwell Guide

The Eatwell Guide is a helpful tool provided by the Government to support healthy eating habits. It offers clear guidance on the proportions of different food groups that should make up a balanced diet. The guide is based on evidence that suggests eating a variety of foods from all five food groups can improve overall health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

The Eatwell Guide focuses on balancing five key food groups:

Fruits and vegetables: Aim for 5 portions a day, including a variety of colours and types.
Starchy foods: Include foods like potatoes, rice, pasta and whole grains, focusing on fibre-rich options.
Protein sources: Include meat, fish, eggs, beans and nuts. Opt for oily fish for healthy fats.
Dairy or alternatives: Milk, cheese and yoghurt or fortified plant-based alternatives for calcium.
Oils and spreads: Use healthy fats like olive oil and limit saturated fats.

Limit sugary, salty and high-fat foods, such as cakes, biscuits and fast foods.

Saving money on food while eating healthily

Eating healthily on a budget is more achievable than you might think. Here are some simple tips to help you save money while still providing nutritious meals:

Plan meals and stick to a list: Create a shopping list based on your meal plan to avoid impulse buys.
Cook from scratch: Ready meals can be more expensive and often contain higher amounts of fat, sugar and salt.
Make extra portions: Cook larger batches and freeze portions for later in the week, reducing the need for additional shopping.
Choose own brands: Supermarket own-brand products are often cheaper and just as good as name brands.
Use coupons and look for offers: Check magazines, websites and store promotions for money-off deals or discounts on non-perishable items.
Shop the reduced items shelf: Items nearing their use-by date are often discounted, and can still be used quickly.
Frozen or tinned fruits and vegetables: These are just as nutritious as fresh options and can be a cost-effective way to get your ‘5 a day’.

Helping with hydration

Staying hydrated is just as important as eating well, but it can sometimes be a challenge for elderly individuals. Here are some simple tips to help you keep your loved one hydrated while making it easier and more enjoyable for them:

Offer fluids regularly: Make sure your loved one has easy access to water throughout the day. Encourage small sips regularly, especially if they have a reduced thirst sensation.
Add variety: If plain water isn’t appealing, offer other hydrating options like herbal teas, milk or even diluted fruit juice. Soups and smoothies can also be good sources of fluid.
Use hydration aids: Sometimes, people with dementia or swallowing difficulties may struggle to drink enough. Jelly Drops are a great solution, as they provide a fun and easy way to stay hydrated. These jelly-like, flavoured hydration treats help boost fluid intake and are easy to consume. Trinity Homecare is proud to partner with Jelly Drops to support those with hydration needs.
Avoid overloading before meals: Too many drinks before meals can reduce appetite. Aim to space out fluid intake to avoid this.
Encourage water-rich foods: Foods like fruits (watermelon, oranges) and vegetables (cucumbers, tomatoes) can help with hydration, too.

Solutions to common challenges

Feeding a loved one, especially with specific health conditions, can present a number of challenges. Here are some practical solutions to help make mealtimes easier and more enjoyable:

Chewing and swallowing difficulties

If your loved one struggles with chewing or swallowing, it’s important to adjust their meals to make them easier to manage:

Cut food into small, bite-sized pieces.
Offer softer foods like mashed potatoes, cottage cheese or scrambled eggs.
If swallowing is particularly challenging, consider pureeing meals to a smooth consistency.
For liquids, serve thicker fluids (such as smoothies or soups) and use a straw to make drinking easier.
Always ensure that water is offered with meals to support hydration.

Confusion or stress around mealtimes

For individuals who experience confusion or stress during meals, simplifying the process can help reduce anxiety:

Keep the table clear of unnecessary items and only place the utensils needed for the meal.
Offer just two food choices to avoid overwhelming them.
Use smaller plates to serve one food item at a time, making the meal less daunting.
Eating together can make the experience more social, so try to share mealtimes with them when possible.
Occasionally serve a sweet treat, such as fruit or a small dessert, to create positive associations with meals.

Dull taste buds and loss of appetite

Changes in taste perception and appetite are common with age and certain medications. To make meals more appealing you can:

Avoid excessive salt and instead use lemon juice, vinegar, herbs or spices to enhance flavour.
Use bright, colourful foods to make meals visually appealing.
Offer a variety of tastes and textures to stimulate the appetite.
Provide 5-6 smaller meals or snacks throughout the day, rather than 3 large meals, to encourage consistent eating.
Encourage light physical activity like a walk, as exercise can help boost appetite.

Talk to us today

At Trinity Homecare, our ultimate goal is to enrich your lifestyle in the comfort and familiarity of your own home. This allows you to live the independent lifestyle that you love without the daunting thought of moving into a care home. We are here to support you with various forms of full time, live-in care or visiting care.

Call us now on 0207 183 4884 in confidence for a free, no obligation quotation. If enquiring outside of our opening hours, please complete our online form and we will contact you the next day.