Archive for category: Uncategorized

Medicare Advantage Meals for Seniors

As we age, it becomes increasingly important to prioritize our health and well-being. For seniors, one crucial aspect of maintaining good health is ensuring a well-balanced diet. Meals provided through Medicare Advantage are specialized meal plans designed specifically for seniors enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans. Whether you’re looking to manage a chronic condition or simply wanting to stay healthy and active, using a meal program that can be tailored to meet your unique dietary needs is something to consider. From delicious and nutritious meals delivered right to your doorstep to personalized meal plans crafted by expert nutritionists, these programs take the guesswork out of healthy eating.

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The Power of Protein for Seniors

As we age, maintaining muscle mass and staying active can become more challenging. However, by incorporating more protein into our diets, we can combat these effects and support our overall health and well-being. In this article, we’ll explore the science behind protein, its benefits for seniors, and share tips for incorporating more protein-rich foods into your daily routine.

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10 Low FODMAP Snacks to Satisfy Your Cravings

If you suffer from IBS or other digestive issues, finding snacks that won’t trigger symptoms can be a challenge. That’s where low FODMAP snacks come in. FODMAPs are types of carbohydrates that can be difficult to digest for some people, causing gas, bloating, and other uncomfortable symptoms. Luckily, there are plenty of delicious low FODMAP snacks that can satisfy your cravings without causing discomfort. Whether you’re looking for a mid-afternoon pick-me-up or a late-night snack, we’ve got you covered with these 10 delicious low FODMAP snacks that will leave you feeling satisfied.

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How Keto Meal Plan Delivery Can Help You Achieve Your Health Goals

The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, low-carb diet that has gained popularity in recent years due to its effectiveness in helping people lose weight and improve their health. When you follow a keto diet, your body enters a state of ketosis, where it burns fat for energy instead of glucose. This can lead to rapid weight loss, improved blood sugar control, reduced inflammation, and many other health benefits.

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Find the Perfect Personal Chef Near You: Tips & Tricks

Personal chef talking with her elderly client in a home kitchen.

Whether you’re looking to impress your family and friends with a special home cooked meal or need assistance preparing meals, finding the perfect chef can be a daunting task. With so many options available in your area, it can be difficult to choose the right one for your needs. That’s why it’s important to do your research and follow some key tips and tricks to help you find the best local personal chef. From assessing their experience and skill set to ensuring that they meet all health and safety regulations, these guidelines will help you make the right decision for your needs.

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How to Find the Perfect Private Chef for Your Next Dinner Party

Personal chef seasoning meals in front of elderly couple.

If you’re looking to make your next dinner party truly special, consider hiring a private chef! Private chefs offer a unique dining experience, tailored to your specific tastes and dietary needs. With the right chef, you can enjoy a delicious meal that is prepared with the utmost care and attention. With so many options available, it can be hard to decide which private chef is right for you. Here’s a guide to help you find the perfect chef for your next dinner party. From researching potential chefs to deciding on a menu, you’ll be well on your way to creating a memorable experience for your guests.

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5 Mental Health Tips for Older Adults

Getting older comes with life changes, such as retirement, relocating, or learning to manage changing family dynamics. The state of our mental health affects how we feel, how we think, and how we cope with change and stressful times in our lives. Memory loss, cognitive decline and the loneliness epidemic among seniors make them particularly vulnerable to mental health issues. Most commonly amongst seniors, we see conditions like anxiety, cognitive impairment and depression.

Not only do these conditions effect seniors mentally, but they can manifest themselves in physical ways as well. We know that stress of any kind can have negative effects on your physical health- like suppressing the immune system, decreasing our appetite, and even increasing risk for heart attack or stroke.

In this article, we have several tips for supporting our seniors as they age and maintaining mental health and well-being.

Exercise Your Body AND Your Brain

Physical exercise has tremendous health benefits- both to our bodies physically but also mentally. Exercise helps to manage stress and reduce anxiety by producing endorphins that keep us mentally sharp and feeling our best. Physical exercise can take many forms- such as daily walks, swimming, yoga or dance classes.

Just as the body needs physical activity to stay healthy, the brain needs stimulation to stay sharp. Studies have shown that “brain games” can help sharpen thinking skills like decision-making, reaction time and short-term memory. An activity that keeps the mind engaged and promotes problem-solving (such as crossword puzzles, sudoku, board/card games, etc.) are great examples, but other accessible activities may include reading, writing, playing an instrument, or learning a new language.

Ask for Help

As we get older, certain activities can become more difficult than they once were in our younger years. This could be anything from mowing the lawn, preparing meals, or even remembering to take prescribed medication. One of the best things (and often the most difficult) a struggling senior can do is ask for help, whether that is through a friend, family member or even a senior-care specialist. Asking for help not only gives us a feeling of community, but also protects seniors from dangers like falling or other forms of physical harm.

Discover a New Hobby

It’s never too late to try something new! Retirement is the perfect time for seniors to cross some things off their bucket-lists and pursue their lifelong dreams- or even trying something they’ve never done before. Think cooking classes, gardening, joining a music group or taking an art class!

Learning a new skill keeps our brains sharp and our minds engaged, and the relationships you can form through new hobbies help give seniors a sense of comfort and belonging.

Caring for a Pet

A recent study by researchers at the University of Michigan linked owning a pet for 5 or more years delayed aging in the brain in adults 65 and older. Why? Pets not only can provide companionship to a lonely senior, but they promote physical activity and overall happiness. Studies have also shown that pets may provide health benefits like lowering blood pressure as well as reducing stress and symptoms of depression.

If having a pet is not feasible, volunteering at an animal shelter is a great way to connect with animals and help in your community.

Stay Connected

Time and distance can make it difficult for people to stay in touch with friends and family, especially as we age. After retirement, we often experience a shift in our daily lives, which is largely impacted by lack of social interaction that we may have been used to in the working world.

Studies have shown that nearly one-fourth of adults over the age of 65 feel lonely and/or socially isolated. Nowadays, technology has made it easier than ever to stay in touch with family and friends, through programs like social media, FaceTime and Skype- just to name a few. If technology seems tricky for the senior, encourage them to set up regular phone calls (or even write letters) to friends and family they want to stay in touch with.

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Long Distance Caregiving Best Practices

In today’s world, many families are geographically spread apart, which can make it difficult to feel involved when a loved one is in need. Long-distance caregiving can present unique challenges. When you are caring for a loved one from a distance, it can be difficult to feel informed and assured that the person in need is in capable hands and that their needs are being met. While living at a distance can complicate caregiving, there are fortunately plenty of resources nowadays that can be helpful to you and your family. If you find yourself in a long-distance caregiving role, here are some tips to consider.

Stay Connected

You and other family members (if applicable) should discuss what your loved one needs, who can help, and in what ways. The burden of caregiving can be strenuous if only one person takes on the responsibility, so make sure to involve everyone who is able to contribute to avoid caregiver burnout. Communicating on a regular basis is important, either in-person, by phone, email or video chat. Keep in mind that these meetings and discussions are encouraged when there isn’t an emergent situation or urgent need to delegate tasks. If possible, also try to involve your elderly loved one so that they can voice their concerns, wants and needs.

Consult a Geriatric Care Manager

Geriatric care managers are licensed nurses or social workers who specialize in elderly care, so they can assist in assessing your loved one’s needs. They act as a “professional relative” and a form of neutrality helping families navigate through all aspects of caregiving- such as assistance with making long-term and short-term care plans, hiring a team of caregivers/medical professionals, providing guidance with care transitions and also offering emotional support.

Hire Outside Help

These days, it can be difficult to juggle work, caring for your immediate family and supporting an elderly loved one. If you are not able to carry out those tasks yourself, there are lots of senior resources that can help with everyday tasks. An in-home caregiver can assist with medication reminders, bathing, mobility and housekeeping. If meals and cooking are of concern, many of these professionals will assist with meal preparation, but keep in mind, most of them are not food-service professionals. If you have a loved one who needs assistance with meals or needs meals that are diet-specific, a meal service like Chefs for Seniors can be a great resource and ensure that they are eating regular, healthy meals. Having a service provider in the home is also another set of eyes that can check in on them and contact you if they see or suspect anything concerning.

Make Sure Your Loved One Has Means of Communicating

If your elderly family member lives independently, it is necessary that they have an easy way to call for help in the case of an accident, like a fall or injury. This can be either be a cell phone that they carry with them (there are many models now that are designed for older adults that are more user-friendly) or even an emergency call button that you can wear on your neck or wrist to call 911 in an emergency. Even in non-urgent situations, it’s important that you check in with your elderly loved one on a weekly or even daily basis either by phone or video call to make sure their needs are being met.

Stay Organized

When you become a primary caregiver, you may find yourself with the responsibility of organizing and keeping track of your loved one’s personal, financial, health and legal records. Maintaining current information about their health, medical care, finances, etc. can help you get a solid understanding on what their current state is and allows you to respond more quickly if there is a crisis. It is also important to have contact information for local clinics/hospitals in their area, caregiving services and other emergency resources in case they are needed.

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5 Myths About Hiring a Personal Chef

If you are caring for an elderly loved one, you may have noticed some changes in their eating patterns. Eating less, eating the wrong kinds of foods, and a lack of motivation to cook, are some of the most common things the caregiver can observe over time. They may be struggling with an illness or condition that prohibits them from standing on their feet for too long, or they have dietary restrictions that make it difficult to accommodate. Whatever the case may be- this is an increasingly significant issue, because we know how important nutrition is as we age and how what we eat and how much affects our mood, energy levels and physical ability.

As a caregiver you might find yourself in a situation where you are trying to prepare meals and cook for an elderly loved one, but this isn’t always feasible. Some caregivers live too far away or have other family members and job responsibilities to juggle and find that some outside help is needed. If you have considered hiring a personal chef, you likely have some hesitations and pre-conceived notions. In this article, we will be discussing 5 common myths about hiring a personal chef.

It’s Too Expensive

Naturally, this is likely the first thing you think of when considering a personal chef: it’s too costly. Sure, there is a cost associated with having a professional do the grocery shopping and prepare meals in the home, but most of these services are actually more affordable than you would think. Many seniors rely on pre-packaged frozen meals, excessive un-healthy snack foods and take out from restaurants. This can add up significantly over time not only financially, but in terms of how it affects their overall health. Pre-packaged meals and takeout foods are often loaded with unnecessary amounts of sodium, artificial flavors, preservatives and inflammatory ingredients that do not provide the nutritional support that is needed as we age.

A personal chef is designed to work with your dietary needs and preferences, and prepare meals that are healthier than what you could buy in a grocery store. Since they are professional chefs, they are skilled in utilizing ingredients you already have and make multiple meals out of a select few ingredients- which saves you money on your grocery bill and promotes less waste. Many of these services offer custom pricing- typically dependent on dietary needs, preferences and how often they choose to use the service.

Personal Chefs Cannot Accommodate Special Diets

Most personal chefs are able to accommodate a variety of dietary restrictions. Many seniors have specific dietary needs- such as diabetic-friendly, low sodium, gluten-free, etc., and this can be limiting if you feel like you can only eat certain foods. Professional chefs are trained in preparing a variety of cuisines and can use their culinary expertise to make your favorite dishes with any necessary substitutions. If you are working with a dietician or nutritionist, the chef can often follow their guidelines and be sure to omit restricted ingredients. Of course, this is something you would want to communicate with your chef at your consultation appointment to be sure they have the means to accommodate your specific needs.

A Personal Chef Service Will Take Too Long in The Home

Many people assume that hiring a personal chef to come to the home and cook meals for a week or two at a time will take a whole day, but most chefs are efficient enough to produce multiple meals within about 2-4 hours, depending on the dishes being prepared and quantity of meals. In this time, your grocery shopping is complete, your meals and made and packed in your refrigerator/freezer for easy re-heating and your kitchen is cleaned.

A Personal Chef Wouldn’t Want to Cook in My Kitchen

Don’t have a gourmet kitchen at home? Not to worry- most chefs will bring their own cooking supplies with them, such as pots, pans, knives and other cooking utensils. As long as you provide a working oven, sink and stove- they can take care of the rest. This way, you don’t need to worry about providing any equipment.

A Personal Chef Would Make Too Much Food

Most personal chefs will set up a consultation with you prior to signing a service agreement, which is a chance for the chef to get to know you or your loved one and discuss any dietary needs, preferences and their preferred frequency of service. Many chefs offer a weekly service date, bi-weekly or even monthly- and can customize your meal plan to fit your individual needs.

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10 Healthy Snacks For Seniors

We all know by now that one of the greatest things you can do to promote healthy aging is by eating a well-balanced, nutritious diet. Making smart food choices include paying attention to not only breakfast, lunch and dinner, but also to snacks. Nutritious snacks are important in a senior’s diet- if you or a loved one are experiencing a decrease in appetite or do not enjoy a large meal like you used to, healthy snacks throughout the day can be more approachable (and also convenient!) In this article, we’ve rounded up 10 healthy snacks that can appeal to every appetite.

 

 Greek Yogurt w/ Fresh Fruit

This nutrient dense snack is a great choice because it combines healthy protein, fat and minerals. Yogurt is also great for the digestive system, because it contains beneficial live cultures and enzymes. We prefer using plain Greek yogurt and using fruit or a drizzle of honey to add some extra flavor and sweetness.

 

Hard-Boiled Eggs

Hard-boiled eggs are a quick grab-and-go snack that is also a great protein source. The eggs can be prepped in advance and will keep in the refrigerator for about 7 days. You can enjoy them plain, or with a sprinkle of salt and pepper.

 

Unsalted Mixed Nuts

Mixed nuts are an easy, no-prep needed snack. Choose a variety of nuts with heart-healthy fats and protein such as almonds, cashews, pistachios, walnuts and brazil nuts. You can also mix in dried fruit such as cranberries or raisins for a variety in taste and texture.

 

Smoothies

Fruit smoothies are nutrient rich and delicious, and the best part is: you can mix in other ingredients like spinach, protein powder, etc. and barely taste it! There are hundreds of smoothie combinations to try- just use your favorite frozen fruits, milk or yogurt, and any other additions!

 

Homemade Granola

Homemade granola is a great alternative to store bought granola, because you can control how much sugar is added and customize it to your liking. You can use a base of dried oats, dried fruit, nuts/seeds and add in honey or maple syrup for a touch of sweetness. Granola can be enjoyed atop yogurt, eaten like cereal or even enjoyed by the handful!

 

 Veggies w/ Hummus

Raw vegetables with a delicious dip are a great way to get your servings of veggies in a day, and also a great source of fiber. Try carrots, cucumbers, broccoli, cauliflower, etc. Hummus is a tasty alternative to store-bought dips and dressings- and can be found in a variety of flavors like garlic, roasted red pepper or sun-dried tomato.

 

Sauteed Apples w/Cinnamon

Enjoy the taste of fall with this warming snack all year long! Cooked fruit is very easily digested, and is a great option for those on a soft-foods diet. It’s simple- cut an apple into ½ inch pieces, sauté with butter or coconut oil and a sprinkle of cinnamon until soft. Pears also work well as an alternative.

 

Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds

This crunchy snack gives us a healthy boost of heart-healthy fats from the almonds and a boost of antioxidants from the dark chocolate. Just a hand-full a day keeps the sugar cravings away!

 

Sardines/Canned Salmon

Fish like salmon and sardines are packed with omega-3 fatty acids. They also have an impressive amount of vitamin-D and calcium, which is beneficial for bone health. Make sure to look for canned fish in water or olive oil. Enjoy on top of crackers for a surprisingly satisfying snack.

Cottage Cheese

Cottage cheese, like yogurt, is a great calcium source and also high in protein. This can be enjoyed plain or with a spoon-full of fruit preserves.

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