Keeping weight within certain boundaries can become more difficult as seniors get older. Metabolism changes, appetite differences, and even activity levels can all play a role in why weight fluctuates for seniors. Home care services can do a lot to help seniors address challenges they’re experiencing with their weight.
Why Does Weight Management Matter for Seniors?
Managing their weight isn’t just about what the numbers on the scale say. For seniors, it’s about helping them to stay mobile, strong, and independent. If they lose weight, they might also be losing muscle. But gaining weight without meaning to do so can come with its own set of problems. Balancing weight means helping seniors stay well and active.
Caloric Needs
Seniors may need fewer calories than they did when they were younger. Unfortunately, that can lead to other challenges. The goal with fewer calories becomes making those calories count as much as possible. Each calorie needs to be nutrient-dense so seniors get the necessary vitamins and minerals. There’s a lot less room for empty calories.
Nutrient-rich Choices
Food that are nutrient-rich include vegetables, whole grains, fruits, and lean proteins. Combined with healthy fats, these macronutrients give seniors what they need to stay healthy. Planning meals around fewer calories and more excellent nutrition is easier with the help of home care providers. They can help seniors to focus on getting healthy foods into their meals and snacks every day.
Supporting Muscle Health
Focusing on protein is a great idea when seniors want to hold onto as much muscle tone as possible. It’s all too easy for seniors to lose muscle, so the right nutrients can give their bodies what they need to maintain. Holding onto muscle also means that seniors can balance their weight more easily.
Customizing Meal Plans
As difficult as it is already to make sure seniors are eating the right foods, add in health issues, and those complications may seem to grow. Their doctors may recommend some changes that help seniors balance nutrition with better blood pressure or better blood sugar levels. Home care providers can help aging adults make adjustments to their diets to accommodate those issues.
Making Meal Preparation Easier
Not every senior enjoys cooking or even has the energy to cook all of their meals and snacks. Home care providers can take over those tasks for them, helping seniors eat the right portion sizes of healthy foods all day long. They can even help seniors plan ahead and fill their freezers.
Supporting Hydration
No nutritional plan is complete without also including hydration. Seniors benefit greatly from drinking plenty of fluids. This supports cognitive health as well as keeps the body healthy. If seniors are eating more than they used to, they might be dehydrated and mistaking thirst for hunger cues. Adding more water to their diet can help them to adjust their food intake and maintain a healthier weight.
Gaining or losing weight without trying means that something has changed for seniors. Home care providers can help them figure out what is going on and what they can do about it.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care in Ault, CO, please contact the caring staff at Talem Home Care & Placement Services of Fort Collins, CO, today. Call (970) 829-0447
At Talem Home Care & Placement Services of Fort Collins, CO, we provide passionate, understanding, and flexible caregivers in Fort Collins, Ault, Berthoud, Eaton, Evans, Fort Collins, Garden City, Greeley, Johnstown, Laporte, Loveland, Milliken, Nunn, Pierce, Wellington, Windsor and surrounding areas in Colorado.
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