Too many senior citizens are undernourished as a result of:
• aging
• eating processed and refined foods
•diminished appetite
• effects of medication
Metabolic changes, along with decreased physical activity, require obtaining the same amount of nutrients from a lower caloric level.
Older people produce less saliva and often have poor dentures. This causes difficulty with dry foods.
An estimated 30% of seniors lose their ability to make stomach acid which interferes with the absorption of nutrients.
Aging affects certain senses, such as taste, smell and vision, which in turn affects the type of foods chosen.
Depression and loneliness can further contribute to a disinterest in eating. Many seniors do not have the economical means or willingness to ensure the most nutritious food choices.
What to Do?
•eat a variety from five of the six food groups
•avoid foods high in cholesterol
•increase your fiber intake
•be selective of foods that cause gas
•women especially should increase calcium
•limit fat to less than 30% of your calories
•limit use of salt
•avoid too much sugar
•drink at least 8, 8oz glasses of water daily
These guidelines can’t guarantee health alone, but good eating habits can keep you healthy and even improve your health.
Jeff Goldstein
As we age, our bodies experience physical & physiological changes. Weight training for seniors can help older adults remain active & mentally sharp well into their aging years.
As we age our muscles lose mass & strength, joints become stiffer making it difficult & sometimes painful to move. Strength training can rebuild lost muscle strength.
Strength not only aids with movement but also helps balance, helping to prevent falls.
Strength training also helps the immune system & with skin elasticity. Tighter skin with less hanging can also help the elderly feel more comfortable with their bodies.
It is recommended that a strength program for the elderly be guided by the expertise of a personal trainer.
Jeff
