Senior Care: No matter what your age, losing weight is a struggle.
Losing weight at an advanced age is even more difficult. However, some seniors have the opposite problem- they are losing too much weight and need to get back to a healthy weight. Fortunately, there are ways to help your loved one gain weight and senior care can help with this.
The Importance of Nutrition
For the senior who is trying to gain weight, nutrition is an important part of the process. People who eat healthy, balanced meals can gain weight. However, it is important to remember that your loved one’s nutritional needs change as they age. Try to encourage your loved one to choose healthy foods, such as fruits and vegetables.
There are also certain foods that can help your loved one gain weight. These include high-calorie snacks, such as nuts and cheese, as well as protein-rich foods.
A High-Calorie Diet Can Help
A study published in The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society suggests that there is a link between a high-calorie diet and weight gain. The study found that a diet high in calories helped adults who were already overweight gain weight, while it helped adults who were underweight gain both weight and muscle.
According to the study, for those who are already overweight, there are a number of different diets that can help them gain weight. These include high-calorie diets that are high in protein, low-calorie diets that are high in protein and high-calorie diets that are high in carbohydrates.
If your loved one is already underweight, you should encourage them to eat a high-calorie diet that is high in protein. This will help them gain weight and muscle.
Remember, fish has less protein per pound than meat. If your senior has a diet high in fish, consider either cooking them more or giving them a different source of protein.
Other Factors that Influence Weight Gain/Loss
There are many factors that can contribute to an elderly person’s loss of weight, including depression, medication side effects, and decreased appetite. With age, the body also produces less of the hormone that regulates appetite, making it more difficult to gain weight.
With age, the body also produces less of the hormone that regulates appetite, making it more difficult to gain weight.
If your senior is taking pills, make sure that you are not accidentally giving them appetite suppressants. Talk to your doctor about your options!
Senior Care: Conclusion- How to Help Your Senior Gain Weight
Keeping your senior’s weight at a healthy level is important to keep them healthy and live to a ripe old age. You can talk to your senior about how to keep a healthy weight, improve their nutrition, and talk to their doctor about any medications that may be impacting their weight gain/loss.
In order to help them achieve this goal, consider senior care. They will come and help your senior with everyday tasks like cooking and cleaning- taking a load of both you and them. Call us today and review your options for senior home care!
