MEAL PLANNING AND SHOPPING FOR OLDER ADULTS Home

MEAL PLANNING AND SHOPPING FOR OLDER ADULTS Home Skills Enhancement Project

Older Adults May Need Help • • Shopping Transportation Telephone use Preparation of meals Taking medications Managing money Cleaning, laundry

Dietary Guidelines 2005 • • 2 cups of fruit, 2 ½ cups vegetables Meat/Protein-5. 5 oz. per day Grains-6 servings, 3 whole grain Milk products-3 servings Fats-20 -30% of calories Salt-less than 2300 mg or 1 tsp. Limit sugar to 4 grams = 1 tsp.

Body Composition and Aging • • Lean body mass decreases More fat and less water Thinning of limbs, fat deposits in stomach Don’t need as many calories Immune system not as efficient Don’t get enough key nutrients Nutrient dense foods important

Older Adults May Not Get Proper Nutrition • • • Diminished sense of taste and smell Decrease in amount of saliva Reduced sense of thirst Medications Depression, isolation Swallowing or dental problems

Factors that Contribute to Poor Nutrition • • Refuse Home Delivered Meals Does not want food stamps Chronic diseases Dementia Poor appetite Difficulty walking and standing Eating alone

Key Nutrients • Calcium-keeps bones strong, in dairy products, canned salmon, green leafy vegetables, grains, beans, fortified OJ • Vitamin D-helps body absorb calcium and phosphorus, salmon, sardines, fortified milk, some brands of margarine • Folate-guard against heart disease, green leafy vegetables, fortified foods

More Key Nutrients • Zinc-promote healthy immune system, in protein like meats, eggs, beans, nuts • Protein-immune system, prevents muscle loss and promotes healing, in lentils, tofu, nuts, beans • Water prevents constipation, fecal impactions, 6 -8 glasses/day • Fiber-bowel health

Improved Nutrition • • Regular exercise helps appetite Eat frequent, small meals Plan meals ahead of time Dried or fresh herbs Fluids, fiber Healthy frozen meals Flavor enhancers like Mrs. Dash

More On Improved Nutrition • Home delivered meals, supper, frozen meals • Food stamps or Commodity foods • Congregate meals provide socialization • If lack of appetite, should be evaluated by a doctor • Nutritionally balanced drinks

Shopping Can Be A Challenge • • Mobility issues, unable to leave home Lack of transportation Frail or lack energy to do shopping Problems with vision, unable to locate food or read labels • May not like the food selected by worker • May not have enough money for groceries

Food Preference Checklist What are food and meal preferences? • Likes and dislikes • Allergies • Daily eating routine/ special diet? • How well balanced are meals? • How much food prep can they do? • Budget/ supplies on hand

Meal Planning and Shopping • • Ask the person what they like to eat Ask if there any meals planned Check supplies, don’t buy what you have Go over store specials Put foods in groups on list Pick up cold and frozen foods last Stick to your list

Shopping Strategies • • Avoid buying extras Shop weekly, only buy what is on the list Don’t go to the store hungry Plan for leftovers Check high and low shelves Wrap raw meats in plastic Pay attention at checkout

FRESHNESS DATES • Expiration date- end of product’s useful life or last date it can be used • Sell By date-breads and baked goods-the last day an item can be sold as fresh • Best if Used By date- cereals and dry goods • Packaged date- good 12 -18 months after