Many factors might be at play if you’re worried about your elderly loved ones or those you care for not obtaining adequate nourishment. Shopping or cooking may be too time-consuming for you to do independently, or maybe eating alone isn’t as enjoyable. No matter what, it’s crucial to maintain a balanced diet as we become older.
Check with your senior’s doctor before you begin cooking. Be sure to inquire about dietary limitations and get advice from the medical staff. Keep in mind that if a senior cannot cook for themselves anymore and you cannot get to them every single day, in-home care can be the best solution for both of you. In-home care can offer meal preparation, companionship at meal times, grocery shopping, clean-up and more. Here are a few ideas to get you and your senior started with meal prep and recipe ideas:
Meal Prepping in Advance
If you’re looking for a way to make cooking simpler for you and your elderly loved one, there are a few things you may integrate into your weekly routine.
Write Down the Meal for Seniors
Set aside some time on Sunday to prepare a week’s worth of meals for those you care about. You’ll save time and money by not having to make as many journeys to the supermarket during a hectic work week. Organize your loved one’s week’s meal in a spot they can quickly find it. Having an idea of what will happen ahead of time may help alleviate some of the stress for seniors, whether or not they are really in charge of cooking.
Make Meal Prep Bonding Time
Involve your loved one in the preparation of your meals for the week. Additionally, your elderly loved ones will feel more involved in what they eat and have a new weekly project to look forward to.
Use Versatile Ingredients
To make your life simpler, not more difficult, meal prepping is what you should do. When preparing your senior’s meals for the week, start by prepping items that often appear on the weekly menu. You may do this by prepping enough quinoa for the week or chopping up some veggies and keeping them refrigerated. This will guarantee that no one begins preparing the dinner from scratch.
Healthy Meals for All Ages
Seniors should always focus on health and diet to help them live much longer. Here are a few recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner you can try out with your elderly loved one.
Oatmeal and Berries
Having something nice, warm, and easy to eat can be comforting first thing in the morning. Berries provide extra sweetness and provide your senior with a nice boost of antioxidants.
Quinoa Salad
Sauté pre-chopped veggies for a stir-fry in a pan (onion, red pepper, mushrooms). Cooked quinoa and pine nuts or pecans may be added to the mixture. Toss the salad with Italian dressing and serve. Eat fresh, hot, or cold. Refrigeration is not an issue. Try steaming or sautéing veggies in olive oil to retain their nutritional value as an alternative to boiling. Lunch is the best time to load up on colorful vegetables.
Shrimp and Pasta
This is a dish that is super easy to eat but has a nice bold flavor too. You can choose the sauce you put on the pasta and add in shrimp for extra protein to keep your senior full overnight. Dinner shouldn’t be skipped because it will help your seniors sleep better at night.
Source
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-to-meal-prep
If you or an aging loved one is considering in-home care in Centennial, CO, call the caring staff at SYNERGY Home Care of Denver today. 303-756-9322
