Nutrition is an important aspect of elderly care no matter the time of year. During the summer, when seniors are more likely to be spending time outdoors or in the heat, it’s especially critical that they’re getting enough nutrients to sustain proper energy levels. Here are some tips for summertime nutrition. 

A Guide to Senior Summertime Nutrition

1. Consider Nutritional Swaps for Summer Favorites

Ice cream, lemonade, and other summertime favorites may satisfy your senior’s sweet tooth, but they’re loaded in added sugars. Maintaining proper blood sugar levels is important for keeping diabetes at bay and regulating seniors’ energy levels. For this reason, elderly care providers may choose to offer nutritional swaps for foods with high sugar content. Consider water with a wedge of fresh lemon in lieu of lemonade, and frozen yogurt instead of ice cream, for instance.

2. Wash Produce Thoroughly

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy fresh produce. Whether it’s from a garden or a local farmer’s market, it’s important to continue washing your senior’s fresh produce before consumption. No matter where it’s sourced from, produce could carry harmful bacteria, such as e. Coli. Since seniors are more at risk from serious complications caused by foodborne illnesses, thoroughly washing fruits and vegetables should be a standard aspect of elderly care.

3. Stay Hydrated 

Finally, seniors may also be more at risk of heat exhaustion. Staying in the shade, running the air conditioner, and avoiding the outdoors during the hottest parts of the day are all important to keeping cool. Even with these tips in mind, it’s still important to make sure your senior is getting ample hydration each day. Whenever possible, encourage them to hydrate with water. Keep in mind that water-rich fruits and vegetables, such as cucumbers and watermelon, are also hydrating. 

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.