By: Nancy Honig, Adult Development and Aging Extension Agent
Eating, it seems like such a basic task. We make plans to go out and eat, we look for new recipes to try and share ideas with our friends. We wander into the kitchen and have a little snack. These seem like normal everyday tasks we do automatically, but as we age, and for those who live alone, eating is often not the same.
Eating balanced, nutritious meals can be challenging for older adults, and something they don’t pay much attention to. Here are some reasons they may not be eating well.
- Isolation – Eating alone takes a lot of the joy out of eating. We often associate food and fellowship together. Not having someone to converse with or share a meal with can lesson our desire to eat. Those who are alone are more likely to feel isolated and may suffer from depression that leads to a lack of interest in things they used to enjoy, like food.
- Physical changes – As we age our tastebuds and sense of smell tend to decline, often causing changes to our appetite. I recently lost my sense of taste and smell and I lost all joy and interest in food. Eating was a chore, not something I looked forward to. So, if this is how it is every day, you can imagine why food loses its interest. For some it may be more difficult to chew or swallow than in the past due to various medical conditions. This can make eating a greater challenge as well.
- Cost – Due to fixed incomes one may be on a tight budget and foods like fresh produce are too expensive, so they rely on cheaper, starch-filled foods that are easy to prepare.
- Preparation Challenges – Due to physical or cognitive issues, it may be hard for them to prepare a meal like they once did. Putting a full meal on the table takes a great deal of effort and for many it may be that shopping for and preparing foods has become too difficult for their abilities.
So how do we overcome or help with these challenges?
- Encourage social eating – For those who are alone look for opportunities to eat with others. Most communities have Senior Centers that offer a place to come together and share a meal. Call a friend and invite them over to eat for lunch or dinner. Expand that to several friends and rotate who cooks then you may only have to cook one bigger meal a week and eat at friends the other lunch or dinners. As a family invite you neighbor, someone from your church, or a co-worker who lives alone to a meal with you. If you have older relatives around call and bring over a meal and then share it with them, and not only during the holidays! During this time of COVID it is important to practice good social distancing, but social isolation can be just as devastating, so go, wash hands, stay 6 feet apart but take time to eat and fellowship!
- Amp up the Flavor – Because the sense of taste and smell may not be as sharp experiment with using more spices and seasonings that in the past. Look for ways to make meals interesting with colors and textures. We eat with our eyes first so the more visually appealing the tastier!
- Take advantage of services to help with food cost – There are several available food programs that offer food assistance to those who can benefit from it but unfortunately many do not apply. Our office can provide you with the eligibility guidelines for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program. There are also a variety of local food banks and other organizations that can assist with helping find healthy low-cost food supplements.
- Preparation Challenges – Looking for foods that are nutrient dense can mean less preparation and less food that needs to be eaten. These may include items like hard cheeses, eggs, peanut butter, legumes, nuts, fruits and vegetables and whole grains such as oatmeal, rice, popcorn, or quinoa.
So, if you find it challenging to quinoa know someone who does try some of these tips to get you up and enjoying food and fellowship once again.
