Are seniors generally required to maintain a special, restricted diet?
An elderly loved one’s nutritional intake requires a comprehensive understanding of their dietary needs and the time to provide adequate support.
Keeping a balanced diet is crucial to warding off malnutrition and boosting the body’s protection against specific conditions. It is best to discuss dietary changes with a qualified nutritionist, health care specialist, or other professional.
Nutritional factors affecting the elderly
• Older adults’ dietary intake can be impacted by several factors, including:
• Illness
• Drug-nutrient interactions
• Lack of mobility
• Low incomes
• Social isolation
• Poor dentition
• A diminished sense of smell and taste
• Ability to absorb nutrients
• Basic dietary requirements Basic dietary needs tend not to change drastically with age.
A balanced diet should include:
• Protein (meat, fish, eggs, and pulses)
• Fruit and vegetables (five portions per day)
• Carbohydrates (potatoes, cereals, and pasta)
• Salt and alcohol should be consumed in moderation only.
