4 Ways to Make Sure that Your Elderly Loved One Eats a Healthy Dinner

Elderly Care in Jamaica NY

If your loved one is having a difficult time eating a healthy dinner every night there might be more than one reason. Sometimes it's just no fun to cook, especially if your loved one is in pain or is dealing with health issues. Try some of these ideas and see if they help to make a difference.

Stock the Kitchen

Elderly Care in Jamaica NYIt's really difficult for your loved one to eat a healthy dinner if he has to work harder to figure out what to put together. Keep the kitchen, freezer, and pantry stocked with lots of healthy food choices that he can easily combine for a great meal. It'll be easier for him to cook his own food and you'll find it easier to put a meal together if you're the one doing the cooking.

Fire Up the Slow Cooker

The slow cooker has come a long way since it was first introduced, but it's still one of the handiest tools to have in the kitchen. You can put frozen ingredients into the cooker in the morning and have dinner ready whenever your loved one is ready to eat. Make it even easier on yourself and spend an hour or two preparing slow cooker meals that you can freeze in a freezer bag and then defrost just in time to cook. A little planning can go a long way.

Order In

Another option that is gaining popularity are subscription plans where you can choose meals and have the ingredients shipped fresh to your loved one every week. The services typically send just enough of each ingredient to make the dish, so there aren't a lot of leftovers clogging your loved one's refrigerator. This is a great option if your loved one enjoys cooking, but it's also great if you have elder care providers who come in to cook for your loved one. They have everything they need to make gourmet meals for your loved one in one box.

Sit Down Together to Eat

If it's at all possible, sit down with your loved one to eat. Many times loved ones avoid mealtimes if they're going to be alone. Very few people truly enjoy eating alone every single night, and that might be the case for your loved one. Make it a point to spend time with him and he may find himself eating healthier meals far more often.

Getting the right nutrition into your loved one isn't as tough as it feels at first.

If you or an aging loved one are considering in-home elderly care in Jamaica NY, please contact the caring staff at Gentle Hands Home Care.