Homecare Supervising a Senior’s Weight

By Jessica Ott | July 23, 2021 |

While seniors do have a high risk for malnutrition and that is something families need to be concerned about they also need to be concerned about seniors being overweight. According to some estimates more than 15 million seniors in the U.S. are clinically obese, and that number is rising. Obesity can lead to serious health problems by itself and it can also make other health conditions worse. Seniors should try to maintain a healthy weight so that they can live longer and have a better quality of life. This can be done with help from homecare services.

Homecare Abbottstown PA – Homecare Supervising a Senior’s Weight

There are a lot of reasons why seniors gain weight. As seniors get older and lose some of their mobility they are less likely to exercise as much as they should. They also aren’t as active as they used to be when they retire and no longer have a daily commute or walking around the office all day. Medication side effects often include weight gain or appetite changes. Their diet also plays an important role. Since seniors can struggle to get to a healthy weight and stay there a homecare provider can be a big help in planning meals and exercise to help seniors lose weight.

The Role That Diet Plays

Exercise is a vital component of weight loss and maintaining a healthy weight. But some researchers say that diet may play an even bigger role in losing weight. Seniors often struggle to eat healthy meals and that can make it harder to stay at a healthy weight or lose weight.

There are many reasons why seniors find it challenging to eat healthy like:

Lack of access to fresh fruits and vegetables
Unable to comfortably shop for food on a regular basis
Can’t carry heavy bags of groceries
Can’t grip pots and pans or cooking utensils
Financial struggles make it tough to buy healthy food
Trouble eating healthy produce before it goes bad

Reasons to Hire Homecare Providers

Having a homecare provider that comes in regularly can really help your senior loved one eat a better diet. A homecare provider can help your senior parent cook healthy meals and will also make sure that they are eating enough during the day. A homecare provider also can shop for your loved one regularly so that your loved one can eat the fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains they should be eating to regulate their weight.

Other ways that you can help a senior loved one get to a healthy weight and stay there include:

Share meals with them
Cook meals for them and portion them into individual containers so that they don’t overeat
Take them for a walk
Make sure there are healthy groceries in the house or have some delivered
Sign them up for a healthy meal kit that sends all the ingredients to make healthy meals to the house directly
Sign them up for a farm share or CSA box filled with local fruits and vegetables

Get creative on ways that you can help your senior loved one lose weight. Talk to their homecare provider and together you can create menus, shopping lists, and exercise plans that will help your senior parent lose weight.

Sources: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db106.htm
https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/senior/measure/obesity_sr/state/ALL

Obesity Among Older Americans

If you or an aging loved one are considering Homecare Services in Abbottstown PA, please talk to us. Our friendly staff can answer all of your questions. In-home Senior Care in Adams and York Counties, PA. Call Today: (717) 698-8258.

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Jessica Ott

Owner at A Helping Hand Home Care Services, LLC

Jessica Ott is the Owner at A Helping Hand Home Care Services, LLC.

A Helping Hand Home Care Services, LLC is dedicated to providing our clients with a better quality of life through our support services while maintaining their independence in the comfort of their own home.

As a Home Care Agency licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, we can provide families with peace of mind, knowing their loved one is in good hands.

We will work with you to prepare a care plan that incorporates your needs, your wishes, and your preferred schedule. Each client is matched with a caregiver who can best meet their individual needs, whether they reside in a house, apartment, condominium, assisted living, or nursing community.