Important Tips to Help When You’re Cooking for Seniors

Making sure seniors get the nutrition they need isn’t always easy. Some will be stubborn or may only like specific foods. Others may have complex dietary requirements, such as needing low salt or having to avoid some foods.

At the same time, caregivers are often short on energy and cooking for seniors can get frustrating quickly. One solution is home food delivery services and there are also related alternatives to consider. These can be great but they won’t always help. Instead, you may need good approaches when you’re cooking for seniors.

What are the best ways to save time? How can you be sure that your family member will actually eat?

There is no single answer.

That’s why this post rounds up advice and opinions from other caregivers and experts in the field. All quotes are provided as-written with no alterations made to content. However, any emphasis (such as bolding) is from me.

Graying with Grace

Scott Grant from Graying with Grace writes:

It is important to keep seniors as independent as possible – as long as it is safe to do so. I recommend removing any hurdles that make it difficult for seniors to cook. For example, are they using heavy pots and pans that aggravate arthritic joints? Look at lighter weight options with large, wide handles. These are easier to lift and hold onto.

Also, if using a stovetop or oven is no longer safe, consider getting a simple microwave oven. There are several options that have very few buttons and simple timers. Items like these can restore independence and confidence for seniors in the kitchen. The easier it is for them to prepare their own food, the more likely they are to eat better.

You can find him on Twitter by clicking here.

The Caregivers Voice

Brenda Avadian from The Caregivers Voice writes:

Eating well for elders means eating nutrition-rich foods as close to the food source, as possible. When buying foods, your mantra should be: The fewer ingredients, the better.

Instead of processed foods, choose fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and meats.

There are exceptions, however.

When loved ones’ medications and chronic conditions reduce their appetites, any source of protein, fats, and carbs will sustain energy and life.

There is no one-size fits all.

My father lived till age 90 on a diet of bologna sandwiches and hotdogs. After being diagnosed with dementia in his late eighties, there were times he’d push his plate away, saying he was too full. When offered dessert, he always had room. Bring on the cake and ice cream!

Instead of low-fat, whole dairy products such as whole milk, cottage cheese and yogurt, will allow elders to enjoy full flavors and feel satisfied as their appetites decrease.

Make it easy for loved ones to snack on wholesome foods during the day. Pack a couple of servings each of different fruits, veggies, wholesome grain snacks, and sliced cheeses. A cut-up whole grain sandwich of no-salt peanut butter and honey makes a nice high protein snack with sweetness and antioxidants.

You can find her on Twitter by clicking here.

The Caregivers’ Living Room

Donna Thompson from The Caregivers’ Living Room writes:

My Mom is 95 and underweight. She’s never been too interested in food – “If I could take a pill instead of eating, I’d do it!” is my mother’s mantra.  So now, getting my naturally food-averse Mom to eat is tricky. Something I discovered by accident is that Mom will eat most things if they’re cut into bite-sized pieces. She could eat three meals a day of appetizers! A typical meal for Mom (that she’ll love) would be grilled chicken cubes, devilled eggs, cherry tomatoes, buttered bread cut in triangles and cheese cubes. One-bite brownies make a fine dessert.

Donna is also the author of The Four Walls of My Freedom: Lesson I’ve Learned From a Life of Caregiving and can be found on Twitter by clicking here.

Caregiving Made Easy

Kathy Macaraeg from Caregiving Made Easy writes:

There are several ways to get the right nutrition, no matter what budget and physical limitations a person has. For those who have room in their budget or are unable to chop and prep vegetables, purchasing pre-chopped fruit and vegetables is a great way to ensure you eat them. Many times, we buy whole vegetables and either never have time to prep them or it is too difficult physically to prep before cooking. For people who have a tighter budget or physical limitations, frozen fruit and vegetables are significantly cheaper and just as good as fresh foods – sometimes even better!

Cooking meals at home ensures that you eat healthy meals. For those who don’t have the time or interest in cooking fresh healthy meals every day, cooking large batches of food and freezing individual portions can be a life saver. Foods like soup, casseroles and pastas reheat very well and have room for lots of vegetable options. If the thought of a large meal is overwhelming, having a stock of healthy snacks on hand is a great way to meet dietary needs. Maintaining a healthy diet is critical to your health and well-being so taking the time to cook and prep meals is an important task for everyone.

You can find her on Twitter by clicking here.

Caregiver Warrior

Susanne White from Caregiver Warrior writes:

I found that the single most important thing to consider when making and presenting meals to seniors is the portion control. Large portions can actually be overwhelming to many seniors and have a negative impact on their appetite. Smaller bite sized portions are much more appetizing and appealing and can stimulate their desire to eat. Even when eating out I would instruct the staff to make sure they plated only small amounts of each type of food ordered.

We fell in love with the IHOP restaurant because they had senior meals with small portions. They could relax and enjoy the meal without being overwhelmed by the amount of food.

So stick with small portions!

You can find her on Twitter by clicking here.

Minding Our Elders

Carol Bradley Bursack from Minding Our Elders writes:

As with most people who are very ill, my mother’s appetite during her last months was poor. Cool foods seemed to soothe her stomach, so I brought her favorite fruits and vegetables and, for some reason, she still loved cold cooked shrimp with sauce and black olives, so I kept a cooler in her room filled with a variety of her favorites. Some people are comforted by warm foods, so find out what sounds good to your loved one and go with that.

The main thing is not to force certain foods on a person who can no longer eat what we think they should. There are supplements available for nutrition if the person can tolerate them, but nagging a person who has a poor appetite to eat is counterproductive and can further shut down the appetite.

You can find her on Twitter by clicking here.

365 Caregiving Tips

The authors from 365 Caregiving Tips write:

There is a chapter in our book, 365 Caregiving Tips: Practical Tips from Everyday Caregivers, that covers mealtimes.  One of our favorite tips is “Tip 143.  Have your loved one share their favorite recipes.  If writing is difficult for them have them use the computer or dictate the recipe to you so you can pass along to future generations.”  This tip not only can create a wonderful experience for your loved one but also lasting memories for the entire family.

Submitted by: Pegi Foulkrod, Gincy Heins, Trish Hughes Kreis, Richard Kreis, Kathy Lowrey, co-authors of the 365 Caregiving Tips book series. You can find them on Twitter by clicking here.

The Upside to Aging

Molly from The Upside to Aging writes:

As a caregiver, there are many things to worry about when it comes to the care and well-being of your loved one living with Dementia or Alzheimer’s.  Eating should not be one of them.  Although there are many reasons why your loved one may not be eating investing time and trying new ways to enhance the mealtime experience for you both is surely worth it.

Here are just a few tips to assist your loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s in feeding:

• Create a simple table. If possible, only the plate of food and drinks should be out on the table.
• Identify all food items on the plate.
• Name the food when giving them a bite.
• Make sure to offer a sip of their juice or water in between foods.
  • So, if you are switching from the green beans to the potatoes take a moment to drink. It clears the pallet and washes any food they may be pocketing in their mouth.
• Stay in the moment with them. It is easy to want to watch TV or work on other things while assisting, but is a social activity.  Your loved is more likely to engage in mealtime if you are just as engaged.

Assisting someone in feeding is an incredibly important job that should never be taken lightly.  We are not only tasked with ensuring someone receives proper nourishment we are also responsible for promoting their dignity. Enjoy mealtime and make it a pleasant experience for both you and your loved one.

You can find her on Twitter by clicking here.

The Ultimate Caregiver

Tena Scallan from The Ultimate Caregiver writes:

Food is a vital and a life sustaining part of our lives.  As a result, it fuels the body with energy, as well as raw materials for growth and repair.   Your purpose in providing good food is to promote the health and well bean of your loved one.

Here are a few tips to follow for a happy and health meal.

• Use cooking methods that will preserve the color and taste, as well as the vitamins and minerals.
• Do not add unnecessary ingredients such as fat, salt, or sugars.
• Serve foods at a proper temperature.
• Offer a variety of meals to make it fun and inviting.
• Always keep your loved ones company when they are eating.
• If your loved one has trouble chewing, prepare soft foods such as eggs, fish and cheese that provides a higher source of protein.
• If your loved one has trouble swallowing, have them sit up, slightly forward, with chin up and possibly thicken liquids to be able to swallow easier.
• When your loved one has no appetite offer smaller meals several times a day.
• Be patient and do not rush your loved ones.
• Cut food into small pieces.

About the Author

Tena Scallan is a passionate healthcare professional, business owner, consultant and published author with over 25 years of experience in the healthcare industry.

Tena has dedicated her life’s work to working in hospitals, running her own in-home caregiving agency and providing coaching and guidance for family caregivers.

Tena firmly believes that both home and lifestyle can be preserved by in-home compassionate caregiving in the face of aging or illness.  Check out her site at: http://www.theultimatecaregivingexpert.com. You can also find her on Twitter by clicking here.

Final Thoughts

As these authors show, there is no single best approach when you’re cooking for seniors. However, paying attention to their individual needs is a critical first step.

This may also mean that you need to try out different approaches and ideas until you find ones that are a good fit for your situation.