So, what's for dinner?
Dinner can be a joy. Or, it can be a battlefield.
Making sure your loved one—and you—are eating healthy meals can be a daunting task. And there is no universal solution to the many challenges surrounding planning and preparing food, scheduling meals and, in many cases, simply eating enough.
Kathy Gilbride, ElderCare development coordinator for the Central Minnesota Council on Aging, is also a caregiver for her 84-year-old mother. One of her key duties as a caregiver: meal planning and preparation. For Gilbride, involving her mother, who has dementia, is important.
“We have meaningful conversations while doing these tasks,” Gilbride says. “I learn about special times, people, places and memories from her younger years.”
There are ways for every caregiver to minimize mealtime stress. And that can actually make it a positive part of their relationship with their loved one.
Embrace shortcuts: Frozen or canned veggies? Yes, please.
When making meals, don’t overlook frozen or canned vegetables, says Sueling Schardin, a registered dietitian and the community impact director in the Eagan branch of the American Heart Association. They are healthy options and time savers in the kitchen.
“Frozen and canned vegetables are picked at their peak for freshness and nutrients,” Schardin says. “Just be sure to read the nutrition facts label for sodium content. You can drain the liquid from canned vegetables and rinse the vegetables before use to eliminate some of the sodium content.”
Distracted eater? Switch off the TV.
Getting a loved one to eat can be a common challenge, says Sarah Adams, a caregiving and aging social worker at nonprofit counseling and support agency FamilyMeans. She suggests eliminating distractions, such as TV. If the issue persists, it’s important to seek assistance from support services, she says.
“It’s all about problem solving and seeing if there’s anything leading up to the meal or after the meal that might be leading to the lack of interest or ability to finish the meal,” Adams says.
Cut yourself some slack: Don't expect perfection.
Yes, you want to be mindful of providing nourishing meals. But don't drive yourself crazy if a loved one’s diet isn’t perfect.
“Caregivers should give themselves a little bit of a break,” suggests Adams. “Hey, maybe they didn’t eat the most nutritious meal, but they enjoyed it and they were happy with what they ate. And sometimes that’s OK.”
Get help: You don't have to shoulder it all.
If you are struggling with any aspect of mealtime, ask for help, Adams says. If you have family who can assist, even with minor things such as cleanup, let them. For more tips and advice, consider attending a caregiver support group or reaching out to an organization such as FamilyMeans or Lutheran Social Service (LSS) of Minnesota.
For Gilbride, inviting her mother to help plan and prepare meals each weekend has helped improve the process. And that helps to insure that she and her mother are eating well.
“Provide them with small tasks to do based on their ability,” Gilbride suggests. “Washing, peeling and cutting vegetables, opening cans, rinsing, stacking or washing dishes, or setting the table are small tasks that make them feel involved and engaged with household chores that they used to do.”
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More mealtime help and support:
- Mealtrain.com Register for free to organize friends and family to deliver meals to your loved one.
- Meals on Wheels Offers sliding scale meal delivery and safety checks to seniors in need.
- Open Arms Minnesota Provides free meal delivery in the Twin Cities area for people with certain life-threatening illnesses.
- Mom's Meals Delivers affordable heat and eat meals nationwide (including rural areas).
- Search for more home delivered meal programs in your area.
Community
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Use the search feature, then input your zip code to find local help.
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