It's important for older individuals, or seniors, to consume the right amount of nutrients during the day. Good nutrition not only keeps seniors healthy, it also improves their quality of life. If you worry about your senior parent's nutritional needs, consider in-home senior care. Learn how in-home senior care nurses and aides can monitor your loved one's diet and nutritional needs below.

Assist With Your Loved One's Grocery Shopping

Choosing the right items from the grocery store is critical for your loved one's health and nutrition. However, grocery shopping can overwhelm some seniors. Your senior parent might not have the physical strength to look through every aisle in the store, or they might find the products too numerous to choose from. In-home senior care nurses and aides can do your loved one's shopping for them. 

Depending on their requirements, senior care nurses or aides may compile a list of healthy foods and beverages for your loved one to eat and drink. The list may contain nutrient-rich foods such as sweet potatoes and fish. The list may also contain meal replacement beverages and snacks. If needed, home care nurses may speak to your loved one's physician to find out if they require specific things in their diet. 

After home care professionals have everything your senior parent needs, they'll monitor their eating habits.

Monitor Your Loved One's Eating Habits

If your loved one suffers from tooth pain, allergies, or other health conditions, they may not want to eat as much as they need to during meals. Health problems can prevent your senior parent from chewing, digesting, or even smelling certain foods.

Home care nurses and aides can monitor your loved one's eating habits to see if they require special treatments, such as:

  • dental care to fix tooth and gum problems
  • ear, throat, and nose care to treat allergies and swallowing problems
  • hand and wrist care to treat reflex and control problems

Home care nurses and aides can also change or adjust your loved one's diet to help them eat and drink better. Home care staff may:

  • schedule your loved one's meals earlier in the day
  • prepare smaller meals for your loved one 
  • allow your loved one to choose their meals

If needed, in-home care providers may work with home care dieticians to help improve your parent's eating habits.

If your senior parent needs help with grocery shopping or something else pertaining to their diet, contact a home health care provider for senior in-home care services today.

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