With age, daily caloric needs decrease. Because an elderly woman doesn’t need to eat as much as she did when she was 30, it’s more important than ever to make each calorie count. Elderly women have different nutritional needs as well, with an emphasis on protein and calcium to reduce the risk of osteoporosis, immune dysfunction, and muscle weakness. Here are five of the best foods for elderly women to support overall health.
1. Blueberries
Blueberries have more antioxidants than any other fruit. A study published in the Annals of Neurology found that older women who consume at least two servings of blueberries each week could delay cognitive decline by more than two years.
Eating well and living a healthy lifestyle can become increasingly difficult with age. If your aging loved one needs help managing everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, turn to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of in-home care. Home Care Assistance provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives.
2. Green Tea
While not technically a food, green tea is an ideal choice to replace the empty calories in soda. Drinking green tea three times a week can lower an elderly woman’s risk of stomach, colorectal, and esophageal cancer by 17 percent.
3. Walnuts
Heart disease isn’t just a problem for men. It’s also the leading cause of death among women. Walnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which lower the risk of heart disease as well as breast cancer.
Aging in place can present a few unique challenges for older adults. Some only require part-time assistance with exercise or meal preparation, while others are living with serious illnesses and benefit more significantly from receiving live-in care. Philadelphia, PA, Home Care Assistance are leaders in the elderly in-home care industry for good reason. We tailor our care plans based on each senior’s individual needs, our caregivers continue to receive updated training in senior care as new developments arise, and we also offer comprehensive care for seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s.
4. Spinach
Bones become thinner and more brittle with age, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Women are far more likely to get osteoporosis than men, and 50 percent of women over the age of 50 experience an osteoporosis-related bone fracture at some point.
Calcium and vitamin D are two crucial nutrients that reduce the risk of osteoporosis. While dairy products are high in calcium, spinach packs a punch with a huge dose of vitamin D and 30 mg of calcium per serving. Spinach also has oxalates, which bind with calcium to make it easier for the body to absorb.
5. Salmon
Salmon is rich in the healthy omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. Eating salmon and other fish regularly can reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering cholesterol levels. Salmon is also an excellent source of protein, which can counteract the muscle loss that often accompanies age.
If your loved one has difficulty shopping for groceries or preparing nutritious meals, consider adding a professional caregiver to your family’s caregiving team. In Philadelphia, at-home care agencies can be a great boon to seniors. With the help of the caregivers at Home Care Assistance, your aging loved one can lead a happier and healthier life. We offer a revolutionary program called the Balanced Care Method, which encourages seniors to eat nutritious foods, exercise and socialize regularly, and focus on other lifestyle factors that increase life expectancy. We will work with you to create a customized home care plan that’s suited for your loved one’s unique needs. Call the Home Care Assistance team at (215) 645-4663 today.