Lots of people didn’t have great healthy habits when they were younger, which can lead to bigger issues as they grow older.
Whether your elderly family member isn’t eating regular meals or she’s eating foods that aren’t nutritious, you may find that you need to solve her eating problem in order to help her to have more healthy habits as possible.
Understand Why She’s Not Eating Healthy Foods
There can be so many reasons why your senior isn’t eating well or is eating infrequently. She may have mouth or tooth issues, trouble swallowing, nausea as a side effect of illness or medications, and so much more. Sit down and talk openly with your senior about what’s going on. Let her know that you only want to help show her how to have more healthy habits, and see what she says.
Brainstorm Healthy Habits Solutions that Meet Those Needs
If you’re able to work through some of your senior’s issues with eating, you can start to brainstorm solutions for healthy habits together. For instance, many aging adults find cooking to be exhausting or too difficult, especially if it’s just them. Bringing in elderly care providers to help with meal prep and with cleanup can remove that obstacle for your senior. There’s never just one solution for one problem, either. The more options you come up with, the more that you and she can try out.
Talk with Her Doctor
It’s also important to talk to your senior’s doctor about what’s going on. What are you noticing? What is your senior sharing with you? Her doctor may have some insights, too. There might be medical solutions that you can try as well. Some medications might be making eating difficult, so adjusting the dosage or changing the medication altogether might be an answer.
Give Solutions a Try and Modify What Isn’t Working
The most crucial part is for you and you’re senior to genuinely try some solutions and give them a chance to work. If those solutions aren’t the right ones and they’re not working for her, don’t be afraid to try something else. Every person and every situation are different. Your elderly family member just needs to be able to find the solution that solves the problems that she’s experiencing.
You definitely don’t want to nag your senior into eating and having healthy habits. That’s not going to solve underlying issues and can alienate her from you. That won’t help anyone, including your elderly family member. Stay positive and let her know you want the best for her, no matter what.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Senior Care in Surprise, AZ, please contact the caring staff at Blessings for Seniors Companion Care at (623) 594-0819
Blessings for Seniors makes it possible for older adults to enjoy the comforts of their own home for as long as possible. We offer a customized care plan that includes services such as; Hourly Senior Home Care, 24-Hour Home Care, Dementia Care, Personal Care and Companion Care. Also ask us about our Veterans’ Home Care program.
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