It’s ironic that after spending a lifetime trying not to overeat, many older adults have to worry about eating enough.
About one in four older people is estimated to be undernourished; half of all elderly hospital patients and up to 40 percent of nursing home residents have malnutrition.
Nancy S. Wellman, director of the National Policy and Resource Center on Nutrition and Aging, says there are a number of social and physical factors contributing to senior undernutrition.
For many older people, nutritional decline begins with the death of a spouse, and living alone has been linked with poor nutrition, especially among men.
Limited income also can lead to poor nutrition. Food spending is usually the first thing cut back to make way for other living expenses. Food stamps and nutrition programs at senior centers make good meals more accessible.
Physical infirmities also make it difficult for some people to shop for groceries, much less prepare their own meals. That’s when programs such as Meals-on-Wheels can help.
Another obstacle that’s common among older adults: a diminished sense of taste and smell.
Here are some suggestions for making good nutrition easier:
*Share meal and cooking responsibilities. A few nights a week, get together with friends or adult children to prepare a meal. Set the table to make it feel like a festive gathering.
*Make use of prepared foods.
*Eat a wide variety of foods, including plenty of fruits, vegetables and grains.
*Don’t go overboard avoiding fat. Wellman notes that older adults are more likely to suffer from undernutrition or even malnutrition. Adequate fat (about 30 percent of total caloric intake) gives food appealing taste and texture, which means you’re more likely to eat and enjoy it.
*Look for creative ways to enhance flavor. Wake up your favorite foods with ample helpings of herbs and spices.
*Purchase smaller food packages so you aren’t faced with the same leftovers day after day.
*Use high-nutrition drinks to supplement meals. These drinks should not be used in place of meals, but as an added source of good nutrition.
*Remember to drink enough fluids.
*Exercise regularly. Physical activity helps stimulate appetite.
*Take a multivitamin.