Senior Nutrition: How Assisted Living in Crawfordsville Can Help

Did you know that as you grow older, your nutritional needs change? According to the American Heart Association, seniors need fewer calories than younger adults but also more nutrients.

Have you ever wondered how you can maintain senior nutrition, even if you live in a senior community?

Though Crawfordsville, IN, features many grocery stores, it can still be challenging for seniors to meet their nutritional needs. Here are some of the ways that nutrition in assisted living can contribute to senior wellness.

Nutritional Challenges Faced By Seniors

Maintaining healthy eating for seniors comes with its own host of issues. Here are some of the main obstacles to senior wellness when it comes to food.

Problems With Swallowing

Sarcopenia, or the loss of muscle mass and coordination, can cause swallowing issues in seniors. When you can't swallow properly, eating and drinking can be unappealing or downright painful.

A variety of medical conditions may also impact swallowing function, including:

Alzheimer's disease
Parkinson's disease
Cancer
Stroke

If you have problems with swallowing, you may need to have a diet of soft or pureed foods, rather than foods that require a lot of chewing.

Lack of Appetite

Nutrition in assisted living can be tough when you do not have an appetite. As you get older, you may find yourself getting less hungry. You may also have diminished cravings for foods you once loved.

Sometimes, the solution is more enticing meal plans for older adults. Sometimes it is better to try and eat period, rather than making the perfect balanced meal.

Weakened Muscles

As you age, all of your muscles will begin to weaken. While working out regularly can help, it will not stop the march of time and how age affects your body.

Balanced diets for aging include accounting for weakening muscles. Not only is it more difficult to chew hard or crunchy foods - you may even have trouble lifting utensils to your mouth.

With conditions such as Parkinson's disease, eating without help can be downright impossible. If it takes much longer for every bite, you won't eat as much.

Limited Food Access

Seniors have a difficult time getting access to quality ingredients as they get older. While it's now easier to order groceries, the lack of ability to go to the store can pose huge problems.

You shouldn't have to rely on being technologically savvy or living near a grocery store to get access to the ingredients you need.

Dental Issues

It's not uncommon for seniors to lose teeth or experience dental problems as they age. If you find yourself with more tooth issues, it can impact your quality of life.

Sometimes, it is easier to find a solution, such as dentures. They don't require a lot of maintenance and can help you eat without pain or sensitivity in your teeth.

Eating foods that are sticky or crunchy can cause cracks or chips in teeth that are already more fragile with age.

Ask your dentist if there is anything you can do to prevent further damage. They may have advice to protect your teeth, rather than jumping straight to drastic alternatives.

Digestion Problems

You shouldn't take your digestive system for granted as you grow older. Some of the most common digestive problems seniors face include:

Acid reflux
Constipation
Bloating and gas
Food intolerance
Decreased digestive enzymes

If you experience stomach troubles when you eat certain foods, you may stay away from those foods in the future.

Medication Reactions

The older you get, the more you rely on medications to help your body function. While there's nothing wrong with medical help, medicine can have effects on how you eat.

Some medications can cause you to lose your appetite. They may even cause more unpleasant symptoms, such as nausea.

Other types of medicine may alter your sense of taste and smell. Certain foods can become less appetizing if they taste different than you are used to.

If you can't eat normally due to medication, try to work with your care team. Your doctor can try to find an alternative or adjust your prescription so the side effects are less severe.

Altered Smell and Taste

Although it's common to have altered taste and smell on some medications, it can also happen naturally over time.

Your body will experience a decline in how sensitive your taste buds are to food. That means you'll be getting less flavor overall in everything that you eat.

A quick fix for this problem is adding more seasoning to dishes so they are appealing.

How Assisted Living Can Help

When you move into a senior living community, it may be easier to develop a plan that suits your nutritional needs.

Here are some of the key reasons assisted living can help you with your nutrition journey.

Customized Dining Plans

One of the biggest benefits of senior living is that the meals are designed for older folks. You will not have to worry about meeting dietary standards with a handcrafted plan.

At Whitlock Place Assisted Living, you can rest assured knowing our chefs prepare three meals every day that will fit your needs.

Social Dining

Although you may prefer to dine alone, eating meals with others is a great way to connect. Food is an equalizer, and a simple meal together can encourage friendships.

In a senior living community, residents will often eat together. Dining in a group can foster a sense of belonging and encourage communication.

Easy Access to Meals

Gone are the days when you have to make every meal yourself. In a senior living community, you can eat in a dining room with others or in your own apartment.

Having better access to meals is essential when you may no longer have the physical or mental ability to cook for yourself.

Improve Your Senior Nutrition Today

Senior nutrition doesn't have to be complicated. Even as you age, it's important to maintain good eating habits to keep you healthy and strong.

Are you looking for a senior living community where you can thrive? At Whitlock Place, we offer individualized care plans and a host of activities to keep our residents happy.