With aging, many people may experience difficulties with cooking or may not have the motivation to make three meals every day. Seniors tend to begin losing their appetite as they age, which may cause them to lean towards eating something small like a piece of toast instead of a full lunch or dinner. It's normal if this happens occasionally, however, seniors should receive adequate nutrition in order to maintain their energy and stay healthy.
The following guide covers some practical meal suggestions for seniors, such as prepared meals, easy lunch ideas for elderly, as well as meal ideas for seniors who have a reduced appetite and need softer food.
Proper stocking of the refrigerator is crucial, and meal preparation is a great option if you are cooking for your loved one. Always keep in mind that you don’t have to take on all the work by yourself as our PSWs can help with both cooking and meal prep.
If there are any problems with appetite, weight loss, swallowing or nutrition of your loved one, contact their doctor or another qualified health professional.
First, Invest in Small Glass Storage Containers
If you’re going to be cooking food in bulk and storing your meals in advance, then you definitely want good ways to store your food. The most perfect container should only contain one serving of food and should be microwave and/or freezer safe. Glass is the best option as it is eco-friendly and clear, which means you'll never have to guess what food you are grabbing.
These containers are great to store fresh cut fruit and veggies or to make a yummy chia pudding or yogurt parfait, a great snack for your loved one to eat when they are hungry.
Consider Their Dietary Needs and Preferences
If you are preparing food for an elderly family member or giving instructions to one of our PSWs or another family caregiver, there are two key factors that must be considered: what are the nutritional requirements of your family member, and what do they like to eat?
Both aspects are equally important since prepared foods are useless without consumption. Many older adults tend to choose comfort foods and traditional meals including casseroles, stews, soups, meat and potatoes.
Another thing to take into consideration is the special requirements that may be needed such as diabetic friendly or low sodium meals, any allergies, dental issues or swallowing concerns.
Easy Meal and Lunch Ideas
Many seniors are satisfied with just a simple sandwich for lunch, so maybe consider preparing an egg salad, chicken salad, or something similar such as salmon salad or deviled ham. This should be kept in one of the transparent glass containers where it can be easily accessed. Don’t forget that our caregivers are able to cook and are more than happy to make some egg salad or sandwiches for you or your loved one!
Some other easy lunch ideas for elderly loved ones could include tuna salad with toast, homemade soup with whole grain bread, pasta salad with chicken or chickpeas, avocado toast with chopped egg, or even a little tray with some cheese, fruit, veggies, hummus and crackers.
Having some hummus, cut up vegetables, cheese, crackers and fruits on hand is incredibly useful. A senior can easily grab a quick snack and keep themselves energized with these items easy to access.
Meals for Small Appetites
Some elderly people find it difficult to eat from a big plate, but would rather enjoy their food in smaller portions in a picnic-style fashion from a small plate. This meal can include some sliced cheese, deli meat or slices of leftover chicken, fresh fruits, cucumber and bell pepper slices, pickles or olives, and lots of hummus.
Smoothies are perfect for older adults that don’t have much of an appetite as they can be consumed in a very slow and casual manner. A mixture of Greek yogurt, almond milk, banana and some berries is an easy recipe. Incorporating a scoop of protein powder is always great to add for that extra nutritional boost.
Yogurt parfaits can also provide different tastes, textures and nutrients all in one small portion. We prefer using Greek yogurt or Skyr because they contain lots of protein and have a great taste. You can use different toppings for your parfait such as fresh berries, peaches, apples, chia seeds, hemp hearts or even a little bit of peanut or almond butter.
Softer Meal Options
A few seniors require softer foods due to problems like dental issues, fatigue, illness or difficulties with swallowing. Examples of softer foods include scrambled eggs, oatmeal, yogurt, cottage cheese, mashed sweet potatoes, fish, soft pasta, lentil soup, stewed fruits or cooked vegetables.
If there are problems with swallowing, it’s important to discuss options with your family doctor or a speech pathologist.
How Home Care Can Help
Nothing is better than having delicious, wholesome, nutritious foods available to guarantee that your aging loved one eats properly and does not miss any meals. Our caregivers can assist with making shopping lists, preparing meals, warming up meals, serving food, preparing snacks and encouraging hydration.
A caregiver can also help develop meal schedules, observe when meals are skipped and inform family members in case the appetite or eating behaviors of the care receiver change.
Contact us for more information on homecare services in Toronto
If you’d like to know more about high quality homecare services in Toronto, Mississauga and the surrounding communities, please contact us. A member of our care team would be glad to answer your questions and make personalized recommendations. We look forward to speaking with you soon.