Respect for the Elderly in Modern Society

All too often we are inclined to think that “old people” are a nuisance, they are no longer functional, and don`t understand what is going on around them.

Yes, most of them may have fallen a bit behind when it comes to technology, but they certainly have a host of experience in this world, and we need to just stop and listen sometimes because we must remember that they are the ones that have gone before us and paved the way and are the backbone of the society we live in today.

People are living to a good age these days and the elderly are no different to the younger people, they still need to live their lives with enjoyment, socially, and emotionally and if they are still active, should be doing as much as possible to live a fulfilling life.

Instead seniors are often made to feel useless, or they are ignored most of the time. This is the one time in their lives where they are free to do the things they enjoy, so it would be unfair to hold them back in any way, and to tell them how to live. If they enjoy reasonably good health mentally and physically our responsibility towards them ends at making sure that they are safe, that they have all that they need in the way of comfort, nutritious food, and that they are enjoying life. There is so little time these days for one to actually feel free of stress and worries, and to be able to do the things that really make one happy.

What a pleasure to reach the Senior Years in good health and to be able to enjoy life to the fullest. This is why it is so important to keep active and exercise regularly and enjoy healthy nutritious meals that help to ward off some of the ills of old age or merely slowing down generally for as long as possible.

It is never too late to start looking after ourselves and to start taking nutrition seriously. One should have regular check ups, eat well balanced meals, being careful of the animal fats, and other colesterol producing foods, eat plenty of vegetables, especially the dark green leafy ones, and fresh fruits. Fruit and vegetables should be eaten as raw as possible, so plenty of salads is a good way of getting plenty of vitamins. Stay away from too much sugar and alcohol, and if you are not one to exercise, at least take a walk as often as possible, or do creative movements whilst listening to your favourite music, making it as much fun as you can. It is important to enjoy the exercise that you do, and this helps to relieve any stress and tension and keeps the joints supple.

Meals on Wheels are committed to helping seniors with nutrition by providing them with cooked meals.

Good Nutrition for Seniors

As we age certain obstacles arise which sometimes affect the way we eat, and with certain health and emotional issues, and not quite the same zest for life, we are inclined to neglect the importance of healthy nutrition. The metabolism starts to slow down at the age of forty, and unwanted and unhealthy weight gain can be experienced.

As we age so does the activity level drop, that along with a less functional metabolism, calories are not burned as efficiently as in earlier years.

On the other hand one`s appetite and taste as well as sense of smell diminishes as the years follow and one could experience loss of appetite.

One creates less saliva and stomach acid due to changes in the digestive system, which makes it more difficult for the body to process certain minerals and vitamins which are necessary for mental health and circulation.

Eating well in your Senior Years should be a priority :

One should eat fresh fruit and vegetables, some of which should be eaten raw to provide you with vitamins and minerals, fibre and enzymes to aid digestion.

A source of good carbohydrates like whole wheat bread, brown rice and rolled oats should be consumed as opposed to refined white bread and rice etc.

When vegetables are steamed or lightly sauted it is the best way to preserve the nutrients.

Protein should be lean, which includes turkey or chicken without the skin, grilled or baked fish, eggs, beans, peas, nuts and tofu. Red meats should be eaten in moderation as they contain saturated fat, and salty meats such as bacon should be avoided as much as possible.

We should remember that healthy eating need not be rigid, we all go off course sometimes, and one does not have to be perfect, but moderation and balance is the key. Even if you work slowly towards setting yourself up for a successful way of eating, rather than making a dramatic change all at once. Plan ahead, and educate yourself on how to eat and embark on the journey to preventing illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, alzheimers`s and watch how your energy levels improve and how much better you will feel for it. It certainly is worth the effort, and if you adopt the right attitude towards good eating patterns, it can become a rather interesting and exciting project.

No matter what your age, you can gradually make small changes to your diet and work towards reaping long term rewards. Allow yourself to have the foods you enjoy, with the occasional off-course treat.

Meals on Wheels provide for seniors who do not have the resources to cook for themselves.

Challenges for the elderly

Older people are often presented with so many daunting challenges, especially those who are experiencing some sort of disadvantages, perhaps even health-wise, and they often feel that these golden years should be a time for celebration, something they have looked forward to all their lives. They feel that it should be a time when they have no family responsibilities and can do the things they have always wanted to do but didn`t have the time.

Unfortunately older people often feel that they are ignored, and they face challenges such as not being able to get around with transport systems not being frequent enough or even safe enough. They feel that they would like to be treated with more respect and have their voices heard. All too often they are ignored as people who have had their share. They also feel that they would like to enjoy plenty of entertainment, and be able to learn new hobbies.

There are retirement villages which provide transport, entertainment, fun and a healthy lifestyle, but it is not everyone who can afford to live in these villages, and although they might have independent living, cannot always take advantage of what is on offer out there in the way of enjoyment.

People are living longer than ever before, and even many of those who provided well for their old age have found that with the rise in costs and extended years of living, there is just not enough to go round.

Many older adults develop mental or physical disorders which will eventually cause them to require extra or outside, professional help.

Those adults who are moving into the elderly age group have probably had fewer children, which presents a problem of having fewer individuals to take on the caregiving role. The divorce rate has also had an impact, as there are fewer families who are staying together, and as it is usually the woman in the home who becomes caregiver, she may not be in a position to take care of an elder. The woman may also be approaching old age and have concerns as to how she will manage.

There are many caregivers who themselves are over the age of sixty five, and these women are often known as the “hidden victims” of caregiving because of their advanced age, and yet having the added strain of having to care for another.

Meals on Wheels care for the elderly by providing them with cooked meals when they do not have the resources to provide for themselves. Visit them on www.mowglobal.org