October is National Eat Better, Eat Together Month. While many look at this month as a time to remind parents that having meals with their children together is an important part of having a healthy household, the same can also be said for your elderly loved one. Below are some great tips for sharing a meal together with your senior this month and how home care assistance can help.
Health Benefits for Seniors of Eating Together
The benefits of sharing a daily meal with someone are huge, and it can make a big difference in the quality of life for an elderly person, especially one who lives alone.
- It reduces loneliness. Many seniors say that the time of the day that they feel the loneliest is at mealtime. Having someone there to share the food and some conversation with can have positive mental benefits that last the entire day.
- It results in better food choices. Many seniors will choose more healthy and diverse foods when eating with someone. A little bit of peer pressure to eat those Brussels sprouts can be a good thing!
- It increases caloric intake. Many seniors have a reduced appetite and forget about eating if they are alone. Or they grab something easy like a piece of toast and then skip a nutrient-packed meal together. It’s easier to sit at a table longer and enjoy the food when someone is sitting beside you.
- It prevents obesity. Eating with someone can also help a person to eat less. Eating a well-balanced meal of healthy and satisfying dishes can help your loved one avoid trying to fill up later with unhealthy food choices.
If you do not live near your loved one, or can only visit on weekends, how do you encourage her to eat better by eating together this month (and hopefully well into her future)?
Four Areas to Find People to Eat with When Family is Far Away
- Neighbors. Depending on where your loved one lives, if she has neighbors that are similar in age, she might look at seeing if everyone wants to join up to eat together once a week at a different person’s home. It’s a great way to connect with her community and build up friendships while eating well.
- Faith Communities. Many faith-based communities have small groups specifically for seniors and they might have events that center around meals. She might enjoy breaking bread with like-minded folks.
- Senior Communities. If there is a senior center in the community, she can look into the community meals they serve so that she can join them.
- Home Care Assistance. Your loved one might enjoy having someone come to her home, help her make the meal, clean up after the meal, and of course, join her for the meal. What could be simpler? A home care assistance provider can help not only provide companionship but also ensure that the food choices made are best for your loved one.
Three Rules for a Great Meal Together
- Meal plan beforehand. A home care assistance provider can help her shop and plan the meal before she begins.
- Turn off all distractions such as phones or televisions.
- Set the table. A meal needs to look like a meal to feel like a meal. Have drinkware, plates, silverware, and maybe even a centerpiece to complete the look.
- Make conversation a part of the meal. Not sure what to talk about, look at using conversation starter cue cards to get the discussion rolling.
If you or an aging loved one is considering home care assistance in Ahwatukee, AZ, please call the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Scottsdale at (480) 284-7360. We are here to help!
