Some tasks grow more difficult as people age. If you’re a caregiver for a senior parent, you may find that you step in to help them often with some of the basic necessities of living, like meal preparation. If you’d like to play a more integral role in this process, here are some valuable tips that may help.

How to Help a Senior Parent with Meal Preparation

1. Consider Their Health Needs

Everyone’s health needs change as they age. Elderly individuals may develop dental issues, for example, that make it difficult for them to consume certain foods. They may have a certain medical condition that requires them to follow a specific type of diet, such as avoiding excess sugar or salt. To ensure that your parent is abiding by that important guidance, you can take an active role in selecting the foods they’ll eat and stocking their pantry with only healthy, diet-friendly foods that are specific to their needs.

2. Choose Effortless Foods

It can be difficult for the elderly to put together meals from scratch. As a caregiver, you can ease their burden by choosing foods that are simple to prepare. This might mean a microwaveable option that they can simply heat up for a few minutes, or something they can easily grab, like a sandwich, without the need for actual preparation. You can determine what to purchase by gauging their experience level and comfort in the kitchen. If they don’t normally use the microwave, for example, it’s best to avoid microwaveable meals.

3. Help Them Get Involved

If they feel like you’ve taken over the entirety of their dietary plan, they may not be as likely to participate in the planning process. Make sure that they’re involved every step of the way — they’ll also be more likely to eat what they choose. This may involve going shopping together or ordering groceries online together. Take note of any changes to their preferences, and remove anything from the kitchen if they’ve made it clear they simply don’t like it anymore. 

If you or a loved one need help with Activities of Daily Living (ADL) which includes meal preparation, light housekeeping, toileting and bathing, trust the professionals at Deer Valley Home Health Services in St. Louis, MO. There’s also the option of arranging for private duty nurse visits, if you do not qualify for Medicaid. Call (314) 355-3679 to discuss your specific needs, or visit them online to learn more about their services.