As the leaders in Alzheimer’s home care in Boca Raton, FL and nearby areas, we know that good nutrition is beneficial at any age, increasing mental functioning, building our immunity, boosting energy levels, and even leading to faster recuperation times and better management of chronic health conditions. And now, proper nutrition for seniors is even more important than ever, with findings that poor nutritional decisions can eventually lead to cognitive decline and dementia.

Specific research points to vitamins C (found in citrus fruits, tomatoes, spinach, red peppers) and E (found in nut and vegetable oils, whole grain products, spinach), antioxidants that are being shown to be especially effective in protecting against Alzheimer’s disease.

Bear in mind that nutrients are most beneficial when consumed through actual foods rather than supplements; however, this may sometimes be challenging for older adults as a result of decreased caloric needs. A health care professional should be consulted before taking vitamin supplements.

Along with antioxidants, maintaining a low-cholesterol/low fat diet can help to prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.  Diets high in fat are believed to impair learning and memory performance, and elevated blood cholesterol can triple a person’s chance of developing the disease. High cholesterol foods, like meat and dairy products, butter and cooking oils and fried foods, should be minimized to no more than 300 mg of cholesterol per day, as recommended by the American Heart Association.

Initial studies have also revealed a connection between omega-3 fatty acids and a reduced chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish, have anti-inflammatory properties, which are thought to boost memory and learning performance. Fish high in omega-3 fatty acids include lake trout, mackerel, herring, sardines, salmon, and albacore tuna.

The real challenge may lie in encouraging an older person to eat if suffering from a poor appetite. Often, medications or treatable conditions like heartburn, constipation or nausea can lead to problems with appetite. Meal times for a frail older adult can also feel lonely and isolated if a life partner has recently passed away. Some tips to help a senior who’s struggling at mealtimes include:

• Ask the person why he or she does not want to eat (not feeling hungry, the food is cold, it doesn’t taste good, etc.)
• Provide small, more frequent meals instead of three larger meals
• Serve beverages after each meal so the senior doesn’t feel full before finishing the meal
• Restore joy to mealtimes with colorful foods and a variety of textures
• Make the meal setting more attractive with food garnishes, placemats, flowers and perhaps soft music in the background
• Try finger foods that are easy to handle or use adaptive tools like silverware with specially designed handles for those who have trouble using standard utensils

Ensuring that a senior loved one is eating enough nutritious foods and drinking sufficient fluids can be a challenge, but it is important to always treat the senior as an adult, and never as a child. It can also be helpful to hire a home care agency, like Aker Kasten,  to provide assistance with grocery shopping, planning and preparing meals, and offering companionship during mealtimes. For more information about the nutritional needs of the elderly or to schedule a free in-home consultation to learn more about our Alzheimer’s home care in Boca Raton, FL and the surrounding areas, contact Aker Kasten Home Healthcare online or call us at 561.955.6010.