| It can be hard enough finding nutritious meals that | | | | food. Use herbs and spices for flavour, but take |
| appeal to all the family. But if you have an elderly | | | | care not to over-season food, or it may irritate |
| relative or parent living with you, producing meals | | | | sensitive stomachs. |
| that appeal to every member of the family gets | | | | - As we get older, our immune systems weaken, |
| even trickier! | | | | meaning that cleanliness and hygiene in the kitchen |
| As we get older, good nutrition becomes even | | | | is paramount to avoid the risk of food poisoning. |
| more important. However, there is no reason | | | | Always follow basic food hygiene rules and store |
| why, with a little forward planning and | | | | foods at the correct temperatures. Check use by |
| involvement, you should not be able to produce | | | | dates carefully, and "if in doubt, throw it out" is a |
| family meals that will be enthusiastically received | | | | good principle to adopt. |
| by every generation. | | | | - If your relative does not live with you, and you |
| Here are the key things to consider when cooking | | | | are transporting food, ensure that food is kept at |
| for an elderly person. | | | | the correct temperature. Cold foods should be |
| - Check the information leaflets on any medication | | | | kept at 5 degrees Celsuis or below in a cooler |
| to find out if there are dietary restrictions. Certain | | | | with ice packs. Hot foods need to be kept above |
| foods react with medication and may induce side | | | | 60 degrees Celsius. If this is not possible, then the |
| effects. | | | | best option is to prepare and cool the food, and |
| - Make sure that you control portion sizes. We all | | | | re-heat it on arrival. The zone between these two |
| need a lower calorie intake as we get older and | | | | temperatures is the danger zone, as that is when |
| less active, so a healthy, balanced diet works | | | | bacteria will multiply. |
| best. And don´t forget the importance of | | | | - Foods made with raw eggs (such as |
| exercise! | | | | home-made mayonnaise, certain sauces or |
| - Be aware that certain foods may be a little | | | | desserts) can be dangerous to seniors. |
| difficult to eat with dentures. Crusty bread, | | | | - Monitor salt (sodium) intake. |
| chewy items and sticky foods may be off the | | | | - Eat a diet high in fibre, fruit and vegetables to |
| menu, but offer an alternative if possible. | | | | avoid constipation. |
| - Involve everyone in the menu planning process. | | | | - Limit alcohol consumption. An occasional glass of |
| Maybe there is a favourite dish from years ago | | | | wine or beer with meals is fine, and can even be |
| that the whole family can rediscover! | | | | beneficial. |
| - Try to incorporate foods with a high calcium | | | | There are no special rules for cooking for an |
| intake into the diet to prevent loss of bone | | | | elderly person. If you follow these sensible |
| density and osteoporosis. This is especially | | | | guidelines, all the family will be sharing healthy, |
| important for older women. | | | | nutritious meals with the minimum of effort. |
| - Don´t assume that senoirs want bland | | | | |