A senior’s body needs different nutrients to function properly and fight off ailments and disease. Certain vegetables contain large amounts of these nutrients but are sometimes neglected in senior diets. Here are a few vegetables your elderly loved one may want to eat more often.
Carrots
Carrots are often considered superfoods for seniors. They’re rich in the powerful antioxidant beta-carotene, which helps seniors maintain healthy skin and helps the body prevent certain diseases elderly people are susceptible to.
Some seniors have difficulty maintaining regular bowel movements. Carrots can resolve this problem because they increase saliva production and supply the vitamins, minerals, and enzymes needed for regular digestion. These vegetables also contain falcarinol, a phytonutrient that promotes a healthy colon and reduces the risks of colon cancer, one of the leading causes of senior deaths.
A professional caregiver can be a wonderful source of encouragement when your loved one is trying to practice healthier habits, including eating more nutritious foods. 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.
Split Peas
Split peas are a staple in Indian cooking and form an excellent protein-rich base for soups and stews. They’re also one of the healthiest foods your loved one can eat. One of the main reasons for this is their high fiber content. As the body ages, the gastrointestinal tract changes, the absorption of nutrients is reduced, and intestinal motility is slowed down. A diet high in fiber stimulates intestinal motility and regular bowel movements. Split peas have one of the highest fiber counts in the vegetable world, with 16.3 grams per cup. When you consider regular peas have only 8.8 grams per cup, you can see why adding split peas to your loved one’s diet can aid digestion.
Family caregivers need to maintain healthy lifestyles too, which involves taking time to care for their own wellbeing. If you’re caring for an aging loved one and are feeling overwhelmed, consider hiring a professional caregiver to provide respite care. Anchorage families who want to prevent burnout can turn to Home Care Assistance. One of our professional caregivers can assist your loved one at home while you take a nap, go to work, run errands, or go on vacation.
Leafy Greens
Many seniors develop complications with their eyes, including macular degeneration and cataracts. However, your loved one may be pleased to know there are vegetables that can counteract these issues. Leafy greens like lettuce and spinach are packed with lutein and zeaxanthin, antioxidants that have been proven to lower the risk of these eye conditions.
A professional caregiver can be a terrific source of support for a senior who needs a hand with planning and preparing nutritious meals. 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. Anchorage Home Care Assistance provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives. To create a comprehensive in-home care plan for your parent, give us a call at (907) 770-0907 today.