Eating a balanced and nutritious diet is crucial for older adults to maintain strength, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and improve overall health. However, as we age, it can be challenging to eat healthy due to various factors such as decreased appetite, difficulty in meal planning and preparation, and lack of access to healthy food options.
One common barrier to healthy eating among older adults is a reduced appetite. This can occur due to various reasons such as dental issues or medication side effects. Additionally, older adults may experience a decrease in energy levels or have difficulty chewing or swallowing food due to illness or disability. To overcome this barrier, it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider about ways to increase appetite and make meals more appealing.
Another challenge for older adults when it comes to eating healthily is difficulty in meal planning and preparation. This can be especially true if they have limited mobility or live alone without support from family members or caregivers. To address this issue, Parkview Health offers a local resources database that connects older adults with assistance for food delivery services, meal prepping kits, and other resources that can help simplify meal planning and preparation.
Finally, accessibility to healthy food options is another significant challenge faced by older adults when trying to maintain a nutritious diet. Some may live in areas where fresh produce is scarce or expensive. Others may have limited transportation options that make it difficult to visit grocery stores regularly. To address this issue, Parkview Health also provides transportation services through its Residency Center that allows seniors living within the community accessibility to fresh produce at affordable prices.
In conclusion, maintaining good nutrition is critical for the health and well-being of older adults. While there are several barriers that make it challenging for them to eat healthily, there are resources available that can help overcome these challenges such as Parkview Health’s local resources database and transportation services provided by their Residency Center which allows seniors living within the community accessibility to fresh produce at affordable prices