Dear Steve:
My grandmother recently moved in with us this week following a short stay in the hospital. She had surgery to repair a bone she broke in her arm during a fall.
One concern her primary care physician expressed when I took her for a follow-up appointment today was her diet. He thinks poor nutrition may have been a contributing factor in her fall.
After my grandma and I got back home this afternoon, I started asking her questions about what she eats and how often. What a shock! She always loved to cook and bake. I never realized that had changed. Whenever we visited with her, she cooked up a storm. But I now realize that on a daily basis, her diet consisted of frozen dinners and lunch meats. Very little else.
I’ve heard seniors have different dietary needs than younger adults, so I would like to learn more. We are hoping to get her back on her feet a little and then encourage her to sell her house and move to an assisted living community. She’s always been such a social person that I think she would really love living in a senior community of some type.
What nutrition resources do you suggest?
Tamara
The Food Pyramid for Older Adults
Dear Tamara:
As I’m sure the staff at the hospital shared with you, falls are the leading cause of serious injuries among seniors. The statistics are startling: every 13 seconds a senior is treated for a fall in an emergency room and every 20 minutes an older adult loses their life because of it.
Good nutrition can play a significant role in preventing a senior from experiencing a fall. It helps maintain healthy bones, promotes muscle mass, and acts as a good source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin D and calcium.
Proper Portions for Older Adults
In March of this year, Tufts University worked with the AARP Foundation to create a new version of the food pyramid for seniors. MyPlate focuses on a diet that consists of:
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50% fruits and vegetables
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25% protein sources
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25% grains, especially whole grains
The new program also encourages older adults to stay hydrated by drinking water, coffee or tea. Soup, as well as some fruits and vegetables, can also help to boost hydration.
Using heart-healthy fats and herbs and spices to cook with are also important in planning menus for seniors.
Adults who come to us for short-term rehab or move into one of our assisted living apartments all benefit from a nutrition program where chef-prepared meals begin with menus that are planned by our dietician.
I hope this nutrition information makes it easier for your grandmother to have a speedy recovery!
Steve Klaas
Dietary Manager