Dietary changes are often recommended to seniors when they’re battling health issues, but those changes can feel awfully big in the beginning. Mindful eating practices can help seniors to adjust more readily to new ways of eating and new types of food. Home care providers can help seniors with these and other ideas to make mindful eating easier.
Don’t Judge the Food
Lots of people think about food as being “bad” or “good,” but food doesn’t have any morality. Judging the food, or the person eating it, isn’t helpful. That’s even more true if seniors are trying to make dietary changes to improve their health. Elder care providers can help seniors to remember that it’s not about judging the food, it’s about getting the right nutrients.
Approach Food with Curiosity
It can be tough to feel forced into making changes to eating habits, particularly when that means eating unfamiliar foods or foods that weren’t interesting in the past. Sometimes it can help for seniors to approach their new diet with some curiosity. If it’s food that they haven’t tried in a long time, they may find that they experience the flavors differently now than they did in the past.
Let Go of Expectations
Nothing works right away, especially if seniors are making changes to improve their health. So any expectations about changes probably aren’t going to happen right away. Other expectations, like losing weight or avoiding a big health problem, are out of most people’s control. Expectations like these can make it more difficult for seniors to be mindful about their eating habits, so it’s best to let go of them if possible.
Be Patient
If seniors are used to eating alone, watching TV, or mindlessly snacking, these new changes might feel weird to them at first. They might need to practice being patient as they embrace new foods and new ways of eating. It helps a lot if seniors have someone to sit down to a meal with, like home care providers. They have someone to talk to and keep them company while they eat, which can make it easier to slow down and enjoy the food.
Try Everything at Least Once
When it comes to big changes, seniors might want to try everything at least once. It’s alright if the texture isn’t appealing or the flavor is off, but they never know until they give it a try. Lots of people find their new favorite meals or snacks simply because they tried something that they hadn’t tried before. Expanding their horizons can make it easier for seniors to accept some of the dietary changes they might be facing.
Adopting mindful eating habits is a great way to approach dietary changes for seniors. Decades of eating habits have a big impact and when seniors need to focus on their health, they might need to do something really different in order to break those old habits. Home care providers can make so many aspects of healthier eating easier for seniors, from helping with meal planning to preparing tasty meals.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care in Ashburn, VA, please contact the caring staff at Access Home Care Inc today! Call (703) 765-9350
Access Home Care provider in Arlington, Alexandria, Leesburg, Reston, Herndon, Manassas, Ashburn, Falls Church, McLean, Lorton, Springfield, Woodbridge, Fairfax, Virginia and the surrounding communities.
“My desire to enter into nursing started when one of my older sisters died of kidney disease due to lack of care. At age 15, I decided to enter into nursing so that I could provide quality care to patients.Upon arrival in United States at 21 years of age, I enrolled in T.C Willliams School of Practical Nursing while working as a nursing assistant at a nursing home. I also worked as a part-time home health aide to take of the elderly. After completion of my practical nurse education, I worked in geriatric psychiatry unit at Dominion Hospital and Arlington Correctional facility mental health unit.
I completed Marymount University in 2001 and entered into Home Care as a field case manager.
I held that position for 2 years and as an Administrator, and for another 2 years until Access Home Care was found in 2004."
Today, Access Home Care has over 300 employees and 286 clients.
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