Some older individuals don’t focus enough on their health and nutrition. As a result, they may neglect healthy eating habits. It’s critical for family members to work with senior living experts to encourage seniors to promote their wellbeing through mindful eating. Here are four tips you can use to inspire older loved ones to adopt a healthy diet.

Encouraging Seniors to Eat Nutritiously

1. Consider Medication Side Effects

Many seniors take medications for chronic conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes. These drugs may have side effects, like nausea and lowered appetite, that can affect a senior’s desire to eat. If your loved one takes medication, consider helping them talk with a doctor to learn if their prescriptions are affecting their eating habits.

2. Try New Flavors

As people age, their senses diminish. This lowered sense of smell and taste can cause certain foods to be less appealing. Consider encouraging an older loved one to try food with bolder flavors, or to pair foods they usually enjoy with stronger seasonings, dips, or condiments.

3. Provide Transportation

Some seniors struggle to eat healthy because they aren’t sure how to get to a grocery store. Help your loved one shop by picking them up and providing support at the store as needed. Additionally, research local senior living resources to learn about buses and other transportation options for seniors.

4. Choose a Senior Living Community with Great Meals

No matter their age, people are more likely to eat healthy if they have access to delicious food. If the senior you love is about to transition to assisted living, ensure the place they move to provides foods they’re interested in. If the person needs a customized diet that is allergen-free or low in fat, gluten, or sugar, look for a location that can accommodate these dietary needs.

If you’re searching for a senior living community that offers delicious and healthy meals, contact Meadowthorpe Assisted Living and Memory Care in Fayette County, KY. Their highly trained, compassionate staff offer assisted living, short-term rehabilitation and dementia care with many amenities like 24/7 nursing staff, housekeeping and shopping trips. Call the Lexington-area community at (859) 878-1300 or visit the website for information on their tasty menus, including meals like cooked-to-order breakfasts and enticing snacks.