Helping Seniors Overcome Obstacles to Eating Well

Many older people have trouble eating well for a variety of reasons. Reading food labels for nutritional information is one way to eat well. But sometimes there are problems that interfere with eating well.

Problem: Can't chew

Do you have trouble chewing? If so, you may have trouble eating foods like meat and fresh fruits and vegetables.

What to do: Try other foods.

Instead of: fresh fruit
Try: fruit juices and soft canned fruits, like applesauce, peaches and pears

Instead of: raw vegetables
Try: vegetable juices and creamed and mashed, cooked vegetables

Instead of: meat
Try: ground meat, or other sources of protein, such as eggs, milk, cheese, yogurt, and foods made with milk, like pudding and cream soups

Instead of: sliced bread
Try: other sources of grains, such as cooked cereals, rice, bread pudding and soft cookies

Problem: Upset stomach

Stomach problems, like too much gas, may make you stay away from foods you think cause the problem. This means you could be missing out on important nutrients, like vitamins, calcium, fiber and protein.

What to do: Try other foods.

Instead of: milk
Try: milk foods that may not bother you, like cream soups, pudding, yogurt and cheese

Instead of: vegetables like cabbage and broccoli
Try: vegetable juices and other vegetables, like green beans, carrots and potatoes

Instead of: fresh fruit
Try: fruit juices and soft canned fruits

Problem: Can't shop

You may have problems shopping for food. Maybe you can't drive anymore. You may have trouble walking or standing for a long time.

What to do:

• Ask the local food store to bring groceries to your home. Some stores deliver free. Sometimes there is a charge.
• Ask your church or synagogue for volunteer help. Or sign up for help with a local volunteer center.
• Ask a family member or neighbor to shop for you. Or pay someone to do it. Some companies let you hire home health workers for a few hours a week. These workers may shop for you, among other things. Look for these companies in the Yellow Pages of the phone book under "Home Health Services."
• Your county's Department of Human (or Social) Services may be able to direct you to a free or low-cost home delivery service. Look in the blue pages of your phone book.

Problem: Can't cook

You may have problems with cooking. It may be hard for you to hold cooking utensils or pots and pans. Or you may have trouble standing for a long time.

What to do:

• Use a microwave oven to cook TV dinners, other frozen foods, and foods made up ahead of time by the grocery store.
• Take part in group meal programs offered through senior citizen programs. Or, have meals brought to your home. Your county's Department of Human Services may have more information, or call 1-800-677-1116. These meals cost little or no money.
• Move to a place where someone else will cook, like a family member's home or a home for senior citizens.

Problem: No appetite

Older people who live alone sometimes feel lonely at mealtimes. Loneliness or depression can make you lose your appetite. Or you may not feel like making meals for just yourself.

Maybe your food has no flavor or tastes bad. This could be caused by medicines you are taking.

What to do:

• Eat with family and friends.
• Take part in group meal programs, offered through senior citizen programs.
• Ask your doctor if your medicines could be causing appetite or taste problems. If so, ask about changing medicines. Talk to him or her about depression, which is a common problem among seniors.
• Increase the flavor of food by adding spices and herbs.

Problem: Short on money

Not having enough money to buy enough food can keep you from eating well.

What to do:

• Buy low-cost foods, like dried beans and peas, rice and pasta. Or buy foods that contain these items, like split-pea soup and canned beans and rice.
• Use coupons for money off on foods you like.
• Buy foods on sale. Also buy store-brand foods; they often cost less.
• Find out if your local church or synagogue offers free or low-cost meals.
• Take part in low-cost, group meal programs offered through local senior citizen programs. Or, have meals brought to your home.
• Get food stamps. Call the food stamp office listed under your county government in the blue pages of the telephone book.

Problem: Questions about eating well

What to do:

• Look on food labels for "Nutrition Facts," which list vitamins and other nutrients contained in each serving. Food labels of healthier foods also may include statements such as "low fat, "cholesterol-free," or "a good source of fiber."
• Remember that diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease. Diets low in sodium may help treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
• Ask your doctor or other health-care worker for more information.
• Ask the US Food and Drug Administration. There may be an FDA office near you. Look for the number in the blue pages of the phone book. You can also contact the FDA through its toll-free number, 1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332) or visit its Web site: www.fda.gov.
  Information provided by the
  US Food and Drug Administration.
  Article Created: 2001-09-29
  Article Updated: 2001-09-29

  
  Each year, Medical College of Wisconsin physicians care for more than 180,000 patients, representing nearly 500,000 patient visits. Medical College physicians practice at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital, the Milwaukee VA Medical Center, and many other hospitals and clinics in Milwaukee and southeastern Wisconsin.