Ageing can come with several health problems that prevent the elderly from cooking and preparing food for themselves. From mobility limits to memory loss (dementia), a senior might need help from family members or carers to help them with meal preparation.
Meal prep is more complicated than simply placing food into a container and heating it when needed. Preparing food for the elderly requires a lot of time and effort because maintaining a good and balanced diet is vital during old age.
Healthy diets for the elderly
A healthy diet should contain balanced portions of fruit, vegetables, starchy food, and rich protein food.
Vegetable and Fruits
A third of daily consumed food should be veg and fruit that provide natural fibre and vitamins. We can combine five portions of fruit and veg daily in various forms such as fresh, canned, dried or frozen. The key to achieving the combination is to focus on diversity and based on the senior’s preferences.
Starch food
Starchy foods such as rice, bread, or potatoes should be around a third of the food eaten everyday. It helps to generate energy, and high fibre can be found in wholegrain products like brown rice and whole-meal bread.
Proteins
People, especially seniors, require protein every day to be healthy. Although meat and fish are common sources of protein, peas and beans can be excellent vegan-friendly alternatives that are high in fibre and protein but low in fat.
Dairy and Alternatives
It is possible to add dairy or dairy alternatives to the senior’s diets for extra calcium, minerals, vitamin and protein. However, we should limit products with lower sugar and lower fat because saturated fat can lead to multiple health problems like heart disease while too much sugar can lead to diabetes.
Here are some of the healthy recipes for the elderly
Tips for easy meal preparation for the elderly
Create a personal diet
There is no perfect fit diet for all the elderly. A customised diet considering dietary restrictions and personal taste is important.
In later life, people can experience changes in taste and lose their appetite. To ensure nutrition for the elderly, carers and family members can start with the recommended diet and healthy recipes and change them based on the personal circumstance.
Cook in batches & store premade meals
Meal preparation for the elderly can consume a lot of time, so cooking in batches and storing it for future servings are feasible. The most common mistake here that might lead to food poisoning lies in the storing process. If you don’t preserve the cooked meals carefully, they will be spoiled and harm the elderly’s health.
Storing in the fridge and freezer can help the food remain longer; however, many things need to pay attention to such as using a freezer-safe container or covering the surface of the dishes in the fridge. Before serving seniors with chilled or frozen food, carefully check for the sign of blemishes and then heat it probably (not including dishes served cold).
Ask for the elderly’s opinions
Sometimes the quickest way to improve the senior’s eating is to include themselves in the meal preparation process. Asking for their opinions and preferences can help carers and family members to prepare healthy yet delicious meals.
Consider support from professional service
If meal preparation for seniors is not possible for you, seeking help from professional services is a good option. Either prepared meals delivery service or home care service can help bring warm and fresh meals to your loved one.
How can a carer help with meal preparation
- Preparing meals for the elderly
- Check food labels and prepare meals meeting dietary requirements
- Check food expiry to avoid food poison
- Clean up before and after the meal
- Make sure the elderly can enjoy warm meals on time
- Help with grocery shopping and managing food supplies
If you are looking for a carer who can both company and care for your loved one at home, Visiting Angels West London can help you connect and choose the most compatible care assistant. We are proud to be the first home care company letting clients choose their own carer.
Contact us for further information.
Call us: 0203 143 8878
Email: westlondon@visiting-angels.co.uk