What’s the Best Meal Plan for a Senior with Alzheimer’s?

By 9  am 0n

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Seniors don’t need unique diet plans to slow the effects of Alzheimer’s disease. They simply need to eat well-balanced meals that keep them in good shape and boost their brain health. Below are some healthy meal plans for a senior with Alzheimer’s. 

 

Fruits & Vegetables

These superfoods need to be incorporated into a senior’s meal plan each day. Most fruits and vegetables are rich in minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants that fight against oxidative stress. 

Oxidative damage plays a significant role in the progression of Alzheimer’s, leading to plaque buildup and inflammation in the brain. However, eating foods full of antioxidants can slow the progression of the disease and remove amyloid plaque buildup in the brain. 

Your senior loved one should also avoid eating processed foods or steam bag vegetables, opting for fresh items instead. Fruits and vegetables that contain the most antioxidants include: 

  • Blueberries 
  • Kale 
  • Strawberries 
  • Avocados 
  • Artichokes 
  • Goji berries
  • Collards 

Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional home care service. Assisting Hands Home Care is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.

 

Fish

Your parent should go at least three or four days each week without eating red meat. Instead, your loved one should choose oily fish options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Cold-water fish options are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids that can boost communication among the brain cells. The EPA and DHA found in oily fish can assist with the regulation of the neurotransmitters responsible for helping your parent maintain mental focus.

If you have a senior loved one who needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of home care Miami families can trust. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that can boost cognitive health and delay the onset of dementia. 

 

Healthy Snacks

Snacks are just as important as any other meal and can often cause high blood pressure levels and excessive calorie intake. Instead of choosing unhealthy snack options, your loved one should opt for fruits with natural sugars to satisfy his or her sweet cravings. 

Other great choices are nuts and dark chocolate, which contain antioxidants that can increase blood flow in the brain. Hard candies may seem harmless, but they can raise glucose levels instantly and damage vital enzymes that regulate the brain’s inflammatory response. 

 

Water

It’s common for some seniors with Alzheimer’s to develop a fear of water as the disease progresses. The fear applies to more than bathing and doing water-related activities. It can also lead to a phobia of drinking water, which increases the risk of dehydration. The physical damage Alzheimer’s causes to the brain could also make it difficult to swallow, so your loved one may avoid drinking out of fear of choking. 

Encourage your loved one to get more hydration by eating healthy water-based foods. You can also serve water in dark-colored cups and use water enhancements such as cucumber or lemon slices. Without the right assistance, Alzheimer’s can be challenging for seniors and their families to handle. If you’re looking for professional Alzheimer’s care, Miami Assisting Hands Home Care provides high-quality care aging adults and their families can count on. All of our caregivers are trained to help seniors with Alzheimer’s live happier and healthier lives, and we also provide specialized dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care. To learn about our quality-assured services, give us a call today.

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