22 May Tips for Everyday Healthy Eating & Drinking for Seniors
Studies in the UK have found that malnutrition affects over 10% of older people who live independently. Malnourished older people when admitted to hospital require longer stays and are 3 times more likely to develop complications during surgery. Dehydration of itself is frequently an actual cause of hospital admission.
Food & mealtimes are a high priority for older people affecting the quality of life and it is for carers to give older people the time, help & encouragement they need to eat can help tackle malnutrition. We need to ensure that older people have access to a choice of food that is adequate in amount and of good quality, is well prepared in a safe environment and is provided in an environment conducive to eating.
Tips
- Drink at least 8 cups of fluid a day, water is best, fluid intake before 6pm
- Avoid Coffee – this flushes out the system including the nutrients and vitamins
- Small Snacks and Drinks to be available between meals – e.g a pear in the afternoon
- Daily recommendations of types of food for Seniors are:
- Small amounts only of Fats, (Spreads and oils)
- 2 servings from Protein (Meat, poultry, fish, eggs, beans and nuts)
- 3 servings from Dairy (Milk, yoghurt and cheese)
- 5 servings from Carbohydrate Group (Wholemeal Cereals and Breads, Potatoes, Pasta and Rice)
- 7 servings from Nature (Vegetables, Salad and Fruit)
You can find an easy meal plan and further information here.
