This article discusses the importance of better nutrition for better healing. It is common knowledge that good nutrition plays an important role in maintaining good health. But did you know that older people have different nutritional requirements to young people? All Heart Home Care uses experienced Caregivers to prepare meals that are specifically designed to cater to the nutritional needs of older people. We use the most recent research to identify the kinds of nutrients that should be included in your meals. Each recipe has been carefully planned out to contain all of the vitamins and minerals you need to remain healthy and full of energy.
We are the leading providers of in-home care in San Diego and senior care in San Diego. Over the years, we noticed that many clients suffered from illnesses that could have been avoided through better nutrition.
Nutritious and Delicious!
All meals are created by experienced Caregivers and are delicious! After all, what’s the point in making a nutritional meal if it isn’t tasty? Our Caregivers take the healthiest ingredients and transform them into incredible meals which you will love.
This article will explain why nutrition is so important for older people and identify why the All Heart Home Care approach is the best way for maintaining good health.
The Importance of Nutrition for Older People
The World Health Organization suggests that older people are particularly vulnerable to malnutrition (“WHO | Nutrition for older persons”, 2016). In many cases, malnutrition simply occurs because older people don’t often understand their changing nutritional requirements.
As the body ages, it requires less of certain nutrients and more of others. An older person’s diet must be adjusted to provide the nutrients they need. If the correct nutrients are not adequately supplied three things are likely to happen:
- They Are More Likely to Become Sick or Injured
Malnutrition may cause certain illnesses to take hold including diabetes, gastrointestinal problems, and infections. Wounds will heal more slowly and they will experience muscle weakness that increases the risk of having a fall. - Existing Illnesses May Worsen
If an elderly person already has a health complaint; poor nutrition may make the symptoms worse or speed up the progression of the disease. A diet lacking in the necessary nutrients can also affect the resilience of a person’s immune system, increasing the risk of new illnesses taking hold. - They will feel Tired and Lethargic
Without a sufficient intake of nutritious foods, an elderly person will begin to feel tired and lethargic. After all, food is energy!
Some of the nutrients, vitamins and minerals which are particularly important for older people include:
- Folate/Folic Acid (Vitamin B-9)
Folate is a B-group vitamin that helps the body convert food to energy. It is also used to help the body make cells. Too little folate in the body increases the risk of anemia — a fairly common illness in older people. Folate can be obtained by eating a diet high in fruits, vegetables and fortified cereals. - Calcium
Calcium helps your body to build and maintain strong bones. If your diet does not contain enough calcium, it will leach from your bones and weaken their structure. A shortage of calcium increases the risk of bone fractures and breaks — something very common in older people. - Vitamin B12
B12 helps the body create blood cells and maintain the nervous system. Older people struggle to absorb B12, so it is required in larger quantities. - Vitamin D.
Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium. It is essential for preventing osteoporosis and for maintaining bone density. Most people can obtain sufficient vitamin D from sun exposure, but that becomes more difficult as a person ages. Higher levels must be obtained from dietary sources. Potassium and magnesium are also very useful for keeping bones strong and healthy - Fiber
A diet high in fiber helps to keep the digestive tract healthy. Problems with digestion are common in older people because of insufficient fiber intake. - Omega-3 Fatty Acids
These are healthy fats that can help prevent or slow a wide range of diseases including age-related macular degeneration, rheumatoid arthritis and Alzheimer’s disease. They can reduce inflammation throughout the body and scientists believe they can decrease the risk of many types of diseases.
About All Heart Home Care Meal Prep Service
All Heart Home Care places a strong emphasis on client nutrition and develops meal plans specifically suited to meet your unique nutritional requirements. With a healthy diet, you can dramatically improve your quality of life. Here are a few other reasons why you should consider using All Heart Home Care’s caregiving service:
- Meals are high in nutritional content
It can be difficult to ensure that your diet contains all of the necessary nutrients, vitamins and minerals. We take care of your nutritional requirements so they don’t have to! All meals cooked by our Caregivers are prepared with a high nutritional content in mind. You can rest assured, knowing that you are receiving the nutrients you require for good health. - Preparing your own meals is time-consuming
It takes a great deal of time to plan nutritional meals, go shopping and prepare those meals. Why not let someone else do the work for you? - Prepared by experienced Caregivers
All of our delicious meals are prepared by experienced Caregivers. You will look forward to each meal, confident that you will be receiving a delicious and healthy meal. It really is like enjoying healthy food in your own home! - Flexible meal plans
We offer flexible meal arrangements. Our Caregivers can prepare occasional meals or prepare every meal you consume. - Meals that you love
Our Caregivers can also prepare meals based recipe that you provide. If you haven’t had a particular type of home-cooked meal for a while, let us remind you of how great it is!
About All Heart Home Care
All Heart Home Care (AHHC) has been providing senior home care in San Diego for many years. Our talented Caregivers enjoys helping our clients maintain their independence and enjoy a high quality of life.
Contact All Heart Home Care today at 619-736-4677 for a free in-home consultation. We will discuss your home care needs and develop a meal plan that is both delicious and nutritious.
