Top tips to help older people to eat

Dental pain, an upset stomach, or a dry mouth can make eating difficult for older people and mean that mealtimes can feel more like a chore than a joy. Here are some of the most common eating problems which people face as they get older and top tips on how to eat well despite these problems.

Difficulty With Chewing

Whether your elderly parent has badly fitting dentures or problems with their own natural teeth, chewing hard or tough foods may not be as easy as it once was. Meats and raw fruits and vegetables usually pose the most difficulty, but this doesn’t mean your older relative has to give up these foods entirely.

• Family members can be helpful in making sure there are soups and stews prepared in advance and frozen in small portions. Or you can make up a smoothie in the blender and leave it in the blender jar in the fridge.
• Instead of steak, get them to try a lean hamburger or beef stew instead. Fish is soft to eat and good for the heart.
• Eggs are also a good way to get protein and are very versatile, whether it’s on their own, as an omelette, scrambled, poached or hard-boiled in a salad.
• Vegetables can be cooked to make them softer, or cut up and added to soups, stews, and casseroles for easy chewing. Canned or frozen vegetables are another easy-to-chew option. Many soft fruits, such as berries and melons lend themselves to easy chewing, or you can cut them into in a fruit salad or blend them into a smoothie with a bit of yogurt and juice.
• Rice, whole grains, cereals, beans, and pasta are also soft, versatile and easy to swallow, needing very little chewing

Dry Mouth

A dry mouth is another common problem that many of us face as we age. Medicine often causes dry mouth, although it can occur for other reasons as well. A dry mouth can contribute to chewing problems, and can also make swallowing difficult. Dry foods, such as bread, pasta, crackers, and rice may be the most difficult to eat.

• Try adding gravy or sauce to foods such as rice or pasta, or spread a little cream cheese or peanut butter on bread or crackers. Foods which are more naturally moist, such as soups and casseroles are also good options for people with a dry mouth.
• Drinking water, milk, or juice between bites is another way to help keep the mouth moist. Taking small sips to be sure the liquid doesn’t fill your elderly parent up instead of the food.
• If your relative does have dry mouth, it’s important to pay extra attention to your teeth. Saliva helps protect against cavities, so if you have less saliva, you’re at higher risk for dental problems. Brush or rinse after each meal or snack to help keep teeth healthy.

Frequent Upset Stomach

As we age, it can be harder to digest certain foods and have more problems with indigestion.

Some of the most common culprits include:

• Strong-flavoured vegetables, such as onions and peppers
• Spices, such as garlic, chillies, and ginger
• Fried and fatty foods
• Caffeine in coffee
• Alcohol

Sometimes it’s not any particular type of food, but simply eating too much or at the wrong times which can cause indigestion.

If your older parent is sensitive to milk and dairy products, they may be able to eat small amounts without stomach upset, but need to limit the quantities.

Reduced Sense of Taste

Our sense of taste dulls with age and  because our sense of smell is also not as sharp, it can mean that food just doesn’t seem to have as much flavour. However, it’s best not to add more salt, as this is not good for you. A better choice is to use flavour enhancers , such as herbs, pepper, spices, vinegars, mustards, lemon juice, or garlic.

Get help from a doctor or dietician

If you’ve tried different options and you’re still having problems eating, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Your parent’s doctor or a registered dietician may be able to offer you additional help for your particular problem or help you come up with an eating plan that works for your elderly relative.

The problem with eating alone

Eating alone often points people off, so try and make sure there is someone else there not just helping to prepare a meal but to sit and eat with the older person.

Set up eating in front of the TV, or with the radio on to make it a less lonely experience.