Tips for Everyday Healthy Eating & Drinking for Seniors

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.