This Thanksgiving, take a moment to consider how nutrition and home support go hand-in-hand.
In a month focused on food and togetherness, November is an apt time to reflect on the nutritional challenges faced by seniors everywhere. Whereas many of us pair meals with celebration—Thanksgiving most of all—Bradenton seniors may not have the same appetite.
Home companions can help. Because the reasons for poor nutrition in older people vary widely from person to person, a one-size-fits-all plan won’t do the trick. Our neighbors and loved ones need a real person, face to face, who can see all the nuances at play and find compassionate, creative ways to improve the situation.
A purposeful human presence makes all the difference when it comes to supporting seniors socially and emotionally, interpreting their needs, minding their supplies, facilitating shopping, and ensuring improved attention to proper nutrition.
Why do some seniors suffer from poor nutrition?
There are so many reasons nutrition can begin to slip for older adults.
- Unhealthy snack foods are always tempting.
- Cooking becomes less of a priority when dining alone.
- Depression affects appetite.
- Certain medical conditions and medications suppress hunger.
- Physical limitations affect the ability to lift, chop, etc.
- Confusion hinders cooking, as well as shopping for ingredients.
- Memory loss makes meals difficult to keep track of.
- Limited income inhibits food supplies.
Without an on-site presence, no one can know (sometimes not even the seniors themselves) exactly what’s hindering their mealtimes or affecting their appetite. The primary purpose of a home companion is to get to know their client. In doing so, they can begin to unlock potential problems, and then they will formulate plans for improving them.
How home companions help seniors eat well
Once they’ve assessed the situation, a home companion can make constructive changes, provide encouragement and reminders, and facilitate transportation in order to improve nutritional intake.
- Ensure a pantry stocked with nutritious foods.
- Oversee food consumption over an extended period of time and encourage dietary improvements as needed.
- Suggest healthy snacks at regular intervals.
- Provide simplified recipes that engage without overwhelming.
- Act as an in-person “audience” (and taster!) to reignite a passion for cooking.
- Help with cooking and cleaning tasks.
- Report to family members if medical conditions, medications, or income appear to be affecting nutrition.
Never underestimate the power of social support.
While home companions are specially trained to attend to their clients’ while keeping an eye out for issues, one of the greatest aids they provide is a caring human presence. We know that loneliness can be a very real medical issue, and the holidays tend to exacerbate those feelings of solitude.
For seniors whose loved ones can’t be near them for Thanksgiving, a home companion is someone they can look forward to. Regular extended visits interrupt monotony, and face-to-face communication draws out intellectual and emotional engagement that otherwise lie dormant in a quiet house.
And as this time of year will no doubt remind us, being together with people has a way of encouraging a joyous, fulfilling participation in mealtimes.