Nutrition for the Elderly

As one ages it becomes more important to eat foods that are nutritious, with very often a reduced appetite, it is important to ensure that what you eat is healthy and rich in calcium, fibre, iron, protein and vitamins A, C and folacin.

The elderly have a challenge in meeting the same nutrient needs as in their younger days, and should have enough exercise and stimulation to obtain a feeling of well being, which would in turn give them the urge to `eat right’ and stay healthy.

Unfortunatey too many elderly people cannot afford to eat even one nutritious meal each day, and don`t even get to think about all the good leafy greens, calcium intake, plenty of fruit etc., having to make do with whatever is available to them, which is usually very little.

So many elderly people have worked hard all their lives and never ever thought that they would spend their retirement having to eek out a living on a small pension.

Meals on Wheels do a remarkable service in helping these elderly people when they deliver meals to their door with warmth and friendliness and words of encouragement. It means so much to the Seniors who receive these meals, to know that others care for them, and that they are not alone the world, and that they don`t have to go hungry.

Upliftment for the Elderly

Meals on Wheels do an amazing job of upliftment amongst the elderly people, and although delivering meals is their concern, they took it upon themselves to recently help some of these unfortunate people by repairing their homes, painting, fixing locks etc. They gathered a team of volunteers and handymen to help, and went armed with donations to transform these homes with the basics.

The joy that this gesture brought to the elderly people was amazing. One can imagine what it meant to them, that there are people out there that care, and that they are not alone.

There are so many people who do not have the means to eat properly, or to prepare food for themselves, and one feels helpless – how does one reach these people. We always think that we have to do the whole project ourselves, but that is not the case. If each individual makes a small donation to those who are equipped to reach these unfortunate people, so many lives are changed. There is a lot one can do to prevent others suffering from hunger.

Meal Deliveries

Meals on Wheels are doing a fantastic job of providing meals for those who are unable to cook for themselves, and for those who simply don`t have any food to prepare and are often hungry.

It is quite incredible to see the joy and gratitude on the faces of those who receive these wonderfully nutritious meals.

Undernourished people tend to get depressed and sickly, have aches and pains and have no desire to live. This situation causes chronic illnesses and as one gets older, certainly would project the onset on dementia or one of the related memory illnesses.

Supplying these people with excellent nourishment is one way of giving them purpose in life, a feeling of well being and warmth, and a knowing that people care.

Making people happy is the best gift of all, and somehow giving creates a wheel that goes around causing so many to benefit, including the giver. One of the best ways of making oneself happy is to make someone else happy!

The joy of those who receive these meals is truly a lasting joy, it tells them that they are not alone in this world, it tells them that people care, it tells them that others are thinking of them, it tells them that their well being is important to others. That is truly a valuable gift which brings great rewards.

Care for the Elderly

So many elderly people who have never had to ask others for help are now finding themselves having to survive on so little, that they do not have the resources to eat properly. This creates so much stress in their lives which in turn creates health problems which in turn can accelerate the onset of old age and chronic diseases.

Nourishment is of vital importance at any age, but to think of elderly people not having enough to eat and going hungry, is alarming. Hunger should not be an issue in anyone`s life, and to see what joy these people experience when having meals delivered to their door, knowing that someone cares about them, that they are not alone or isolated, is so rewarding.

Meals on Wheels offer an amazing service to the elderly with such warmth and caring. They are a non-profit organisation who rely on donations and have been in service since 1939. They prevent so many elderly from going hungry.

Senior Citizens in need

There are so many Senior Citizens who have worked hard all their lives providing for their old age, and unfortunately a large number of these elders are living in poverty. Unfortunate circumstances, inflation and incorrect choice of investments are but a few reasons why so many are in need. Once they have paid their rent and seen to their medical needs, there is simply nothing left to buy food.

Seniors who experience hunger are at risk of developing serious health problems, and should be having good nutritious meals to keep those related chronic illnesses at bay.

Hunger in the elderly increases the risk of strokes, can affect brain chemistry which in turn increases the possibility of depression. It can also limit the effectiveness of prescription drugs and enhance pre-existing health conditions.

Nourishment for the Hungry

Nourishment is vital to every individual, not just for survival, but one should be having all the nutrients and vitamins to stay healthy and to ward off illnesses, keeping the immune system functioning.

Unfortunately there are many who cannot even think about nutrition as such, having a battle to survive on whatever might be available to them. Eating well is just not a possibility, and sadly a situation like this takes its toll on physical and mental aspects of ones health, affecting people emotionally as well.

One need not feel helpless in this sort of situation, there is something each person can do to help reliever hunger, if only in one small way. Collectively it will make quite an impact. Tell your friends, tell everyone you know.