Graceful Aging Has Menu of Its Own

Aging can be tough. Ailments like osteoporosis, diabetes and memory loss plague many individuals' golden years.

While there is nothing any of us can do to turn back the hands of time, maintaining a proper diet can help to make life better for senior citizens.

Jackie Carr, a registered dietician at the Brunswick hospital of Southeast Georgia Health System, points out that, as we age, many factors impact nutritional needs.

"Diseases and condition can have impact on nutritional health. Four out of five people over 65 have some sort of chronic disease that may be impacted by diet," she said.

Confusion, memory loss and depression can have an impact on how one eats. Carr also says that changes in appetite, digestion and even dental health have an effect.

"Many things can impact how they eat. Tooth loss or mouth pain and even dentures, if they don't fit well, can make it hard to eat," she said.

Finances are another problem. For many older adults, budgeting can determine how they buy food and what they purchase. Cheaper items are often less nutritional than some that are more expensive, like meats.

"Forty percent of older adults have an income of less than $6,000. With a budget of $25 to $30 a week to spend on groceries, that can make it really hard to get a balanced diet," Carr said.

Within that balanced diet, there are some areas seniors should focus on, including protein, calcium and fluids.

Hillary Johnson, wellness program coordinator at Marshes' Edge Retirement Community on St. Simons Island, says that older adults still require the same amount of nutrients as they did at a younger age. Some times they even need a little more.

"A diet rich in the proper nutrition is always a good idea for bone, body and brain health. Plenty of vegetables, fruits, proteins and whole grains do the trick, easily," she said.