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Satisfying a Senior’s Nutritional Needs for Caregivers

The older a person is, the more adjustments their dietary requirements need, so here are a few guidelines caregivers can use for their loved ones. Every nutrient has its purpose, and they all work together to support the health of a senior. Many health trends will have you focus on a particular one, but in reality, balance is key. This is because even though a senior may be eating, they might be just consuming empty calories.1, 5

Understanding the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)

Serving size, maximum servings, or Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) are all forms of measurements of how much of each nutrient a person should consume or need. It is actually based on your age and gender. For instance, since a senior’s body is less efficient at processing protein and vitamin D, the RDA amount will be higher than that of younger counterparts. For individual RDA, it is best to consult a Medical Professional for more accurate results to determine a meal plan.1

Vitamin D for Durability

Aptly named the “sunshine vitamin”, vitamin D is created when our skin is exposed to the sun. This vitamin is essential for maximizing the absorption of calcium for our bones. If a senior does not get enough, it can result in weak bones that are more prone to injuries and lose independence. This too can affect red blood cell production (from the marrow) that can hinder proper distribution of oxygen for body functionality.1, 3

Vitamin D absorption can be hindered by aging affecting skin resilience and seniors more likely to spend time indoors, so “sunlight” alone is not enough. To ensure that a senior gets RDA of 800 IU of vitamin D, caregivers have to ensure it through food first. The best palatable and easily consumable sources of vitamin D for seniors are fortified milk, some mushrooms, fortified grains or cereals, and fortified plant-based milks (soybeans).1, 2

2 servings a day. (6 scoop per serving with 185ml of water)

Protein is Essential for Life

Protein is a micronutrient that is needed by every cell in the body and is essential for fighting muscle loss biological processes called sarcopenia. It is also essential for boosting the immune system and wound healing. In other words, if a senior does not get enough or good quality proteins, they will have weaker skin and suffer faster muscle loss. This will lead to loss of mobility and lessen other areas in quality of life, further affecting appetite to a downward spiral.2, 3

Coincidentally, protein rich food sources are also rich in vitamins B6 & B12 that support energy levels, benefit immunity, and red blood cell production for circulation. The easiest protein to consume for seniors is milk and eggs. Other high quality protein sources are spinach, quinoa, lentils, soybeans, any meat, any organ meat, or fish, and nuts.2, 3

There are several issues that cause unsatisfying consumption of nutrition for seniors. It is important for a caregiver to make sure that their loved one gets enough of vitamin D and protein for muscle health, but sometimes food alone is not enough. For this, caregivers can provide 2 servings a day of Ensure Gold (6 scoops and 185 ml of water; per serving), No. 1 Physician Recommended Oral Nutritional Supplement in the U.S.*, along with food to meet daily RDA of nutrients. Scientifically formulated with 28 vitamins and minerals, 12 of which help support immunity^, including vitamin D, and  Hydroxymethylbutyrate (HMB, a metabolite of amino acid leucine that is found very little naturally in food, important nutrient for muscle preservation)4, Ensure Gold can help improve a loved one’s strength in 8 weeks**. For those who do not prefer the taste of milk, Ensure Gold Plant Based made from soy, rice, and quinoa proteins in an Asian approved almond flavor is a non-milk muscle supporting alternative.

Visit Ensure Myanmar today to sample the Ensure full range.5

References:

  1. https://thegeriatricdietitian.com/7-key-nutrients-for-senior-nutrition/
  2. https://www.parentgiving.com/elder-care/necessary-nutrients-how-seniors-can-get-them/
  3. https://www.agingcare.com/articles/pro-tips-sneaking-calories-nutrients-into-a-seniors-diet-208396.htm
  4. https://www.nutritionnews.abbott/healthy-living/aging-well/why-hmb-is-important-for-aging-muscles/
  5. https://www.ensuremyanmar.com/eng/ensure-powder/

*     IQVIA, using the ProVoice Survey, fielded to 14,459 physicians from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021.

^    Ensure Gold contains protein, Vitamin A, B6, B12, C, D, E, Folate and selenium, copper, zinc and iron, that help support the normal function of the immune system.

**   Berton et al. PLoS One. 2015.