Michelle Leonard-Smith has been with Home by Choice as director of administration since 2009. She can be reached by email at michelle.smith@asipages.com or by phone at 765-362-4020.
Proper nutrition and hydration is a crucial element of health in people of all ages. Over the past decade, the importance of both nutrition and hydration have been increasingly recognized in a variety of morbid conditions including cancer, heart disease and dementia. While drinking plenty of fluids and eating a balanced diet is important for all people, it is especially important for seniors.
As we age, the sense of proper nutrition becomes even more paramount because of our lower metabolism and activity levels; which means the body needs fewer calories. If poor food choices are being made, nutrition can suffer. This can lead to unwanted weight loss and jeopardize the immune system, making a senior more susceptible to infections like the common cold or even the flu.
The benefits of proper nutrition for seniors range from increased mental capacity and higher energy levels to better resistance to illness and disease. Numerous studies have shown that a good diet in your later years reduces your risk of osteoporosis, high blood pressure, heart diseases and certain cancers. As you age, you may need less energy but you still need just as many nutrients. To get them choose a variety of healthy foods, avoid empty calories — foods with lots of calories but few nutrients, such as chips, cookies, soda and alcohol — and pick foods that are low in cholesterol and fat.
For many, the long awaited warmer weather brings to mind family picnics, cool drinks on the porch and lazy afternoons in the sun. But, as temperatures soar, warm weather activities can increase the risk for dehydration. Not getting enough fluids, especially when it is hot outside, can pose serious health problems for anyone, but older adults are at a particular risk for dehydration.
As we age, our body’s ability to conserve water is reduced, causing increased difficulty when it comes to adapting to things like extreme temperatures. Additionally, the sense of thirst also diminishes with age, so by the time someone actually feels thirsty, essential fluids could already be extremely low. Also, seniors may find themselves having to use the bathroom more often so they are losing more fluid.
To help with this problem, here are some tips for staying hydrated: don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink, carry a water bottle with you and drink from it regularly, drink at least eight cups of water every day, keep a full water bottle in the refrigerator door and take a drink every time you open the refrigerator, drink extra in extreme heat to replace the water lost from sweating, and start and end the day with a cup of water.
Summer is fast approaching — be mindful of friends or neighbors who might not be fully aware of the need to increase their fluid intake and watch for proper nutrition. This sounds like a perfect time to stop by for a visit and enjoy and a cold glass of iced tea. Think about the memories you will be making!
Michelle Leonard-Smith is CEO/Executive Director of Home by Choice. She can be reached by email at michelle.smith@asipages.com or by phone at 765-362-4020.
