Your senior loved one may be experiencing weight loss for different reasons, such as loss of appetite due to medications or an illness. Regardless of why your loved one is losing weight, you’ll want to figure out some healthy methods to help him or her return to an ideal weight. Here are some ways you can help your loved one gain weight in a healthy way.
More Frequent Meals
Seniors need to eat frequently if they want to gain weight. They should aim for five or six small meals a day. In addition to a healthy breakfast, lunch, and dinner, your loved one should eat high-energy snacks between meals. Some examples of healthy snacks that can help seniors increase their weight are:
- Cheese and crackers
- Granola
- Ready-to-eat cereal and milk
- Nut butter on fruit
- Smoothies
Aging in place can present a few unique challenges for older adults. Some only require part-time assistance with exercise or meal preparation, while others are living with serious illnesses and benefit more significantly from receiving live-in care. Rocklin, CA, Home Care Assistance are leaders in the elderly in-home care industry for good reason. We tailor our care plans based on each senior’s individual needs, our caregivers continue to receive updated training in senior care as new developments arise, and we also offer comprehensive care for seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s.
Exercise
While you may think exercise is for losing weight, it can actually be a healthy way for seniors to gain weight as well. Exercise can help the elderly build lean muscle mass and increase their appetites. Although any type of exercise is good, your loved one should try strength training exercises to build muscle, which could lead to weight gain. However, it’s a good idea to check with your loved one’s doctor before starting a regular exercise routine.
Even seniors with mobility issues or other health challenges can still get the benefits of exercise, especially with the help of trained professional caregivers. Home care professionals can be a wonderful boon to seniors. Whether they require around-the-clock supervision or just need assistance with exercise and household tasks a few days a week, seniors can enjoy a higher quality of life with the help of trusted in-home caregivers.
Nutrient-Dense Foods
To increase weight, your loved one should eat foods that are high in healthy fats and calories. Stay away from fast foods or processed meats, as these aren’t healthy foods. Instead, include lean proteins, low and nonfat dairy products, whole grains, nuts, vegetables, and fruits in your loved one’s meals throughout the day.
Adding Calories through Drinks
Though seniors should definitely drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, there are other beverages they can drink to increase weight. However, you may not want your loved one to consume calorie-dense meals and these beverages together, as they could cause him or her to fill up too quickly.
Some of the beverages seniors can drink to increase their weight in a healthy way include:
- Smoothies
- Juice
- Nonfat or low-fat milk
Professional caregivers with training in nutrition and healthy habits can be a wonderful source of information and encouragement for seniors who need to gain weight. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of home care service. Rocklin families can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide individualized care plans to meet their elderly loved ones’ unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia. To learn about our high-quality in-home care options, give us a call at (916) 226-3737 today.