As we age, our dietary needs change significantly, and seniors need to adapt their diets to account for these changes. In addition to a slower metabolism and digestive process, other factors, such as medications, age-related health conditions, and being less physically active, contribute to changing dietary needs. Malnutrition is particularly harmful to older adults, so dietary counseling is critical to seniors’ health and well-being.
At Buckner Villas, we understand the importance of a nutritious diet for our residents to stay healthy and active. We know meal times are essential to socialization, and our team strives to offer five-star-quality meals to enhance the culinary experience. Dietary counseling is one of the many benefits you or your loved one will enjoy at Buckner Villas. Call 512.580.9882 to learn more about our senior living community in Austin, TX.
What Is Dietary Counseling?
Eating a healthy diet sounds easy enough, but it can be challenging for seniors who have a reduced appetite or forget to eat because of memory impairments. Additionally, cooking for one presents challenges, and many seniors turn to unhealthy prepackaged foods out of convenience.
In dietary counseling, a trained nutritionist will assess your current diet, medical history, medications, and health risks for specific age-related diseases and work with you to develop a diet to meet your nutritional needs. They will also provide education about nutrition, such as the importance of specific vitamins and minerals, staying hydrated, and taking supplements if needed.
5 Benefits of Dietary Counseling for Seniors
Through dietary counseling, you learn the impacts of diet and nutrition on overall well-being to make educated decisions about what to eat and not eat. Customized meal planning is particularly beneficial if you have cognitive impairments or memory and recall challenges because it takes the guesswork out of meal planning.
Five significant benefits of dietary counseling for seniors include:
- Improved cognition and increased mental activity
- Higher levels of energy
- Prevention of illness and disease
- Stronger immunity and faster healing or rehabilitation
- Improved quality of sleep
In addition to improving physical health, eating a balanced diet helps with mood regulation. When you feel better, you are more likely to socialize, engage in activities you enjoy, and even try new things. Senior adults who are more socially active have a better quality of life and live longer, healthier lives.
Why Proper Nutrition Is Vital for Seniors
The primary goal of dietary counseling is to improve the overall well-being of seniors to assist them in living the highest quality of life possible. Malnourished seniors face an increased risk for diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and cancer. Other health issues related to poor nutrition include:
- Low bone mass and osteoporosis
- Suppressed immunity
- Cognitive impairments
- Anemia
- Muscle loss
- Mobility issues
- Significant weight loss or weight gain
These factors can leave you vulnerable to isolation and depression, increase your risk for falls and hospitalizations, and contribute to longer recovery times. At Buckner Villas, we know that when residents understand the intricate connection between their diet, body, and mind, they are inspired to make healthy eating decisions.
Learn More About Dietary Counseling at Buckner Villas
Aging changes our nutritional needs and causes changes in appetite that result in seniors skipping meals or turning to unhealthy fast food or prepackaged foods that are low in nutrients and high in salt, unhealthy fats, and sugar. Through dietary counseling, seniors receive education and guidance on the benefits of a healthy diet to reduce the risk of serious health conditions.
At Buckner Villas, dietary counseling is one of the numerous services we provide to residents of our faith-based senior living community in Austin, Texas. Other health and wellness services include, but are not limited to:
- Transportation services
- Medication management
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech therapy
- Fitness classes
- Support groups
- Social clubs
To learn more about the benefits of dietary counseling for seniors, contact Buckner Villas. Reach our using our secure online form or call 512.580.9882.