Companionship
and Socialization for Older Seniors
Palm Beach County, Florida
 During
the early retirement years, dining is the highlight of
most social gatherings for couples. Aging older adults
find dining out and food to be less important in their
lives as their social opportunities decline and their
health limits their choices. Although, they may enjoy
eating lunch or dinner out occasionally, they find it
easier to skip meals or make do with what they have at
home.
Research
has shown a correlation between living alone and having lower
quality diets. Men may be at greater risk because they
are less experienced with planning, shopping and
preparing meals. Women may feel less motivated to
prepare meals when there is no one to share with.
Local food
services can provide home delivered frozen meals, although they lack the
quality of freshly prepared foods. They’re delivered in
quantity and most often are limited to the choices that
are available. Although, they may offer low sodium or
low sugar options, they rarely meet the elder’s
expectations.
Elderly
individuals are at increased risk for problems that affect their nutritional status.
Although age can diminish appetite and physical
mobility, the body still requires as many nutrients as a
young adult’s. Some older adults encounter dietary
problems, making them less able to select, purchase,
prepare, eat, digest, absorb, and enjoy food. An
inability to consume an adequate daily diet places the
elderly person at an increased risk for medical,
physical, and functional problems.
Elder
Friends recognizes the difficulties and provides an Elder Friend who acts
as a "Chef
for a Day." The Friend will
come to the home weekly/bi-weekly and discuss the
client’s preferences for weekly meals. She will then
shop for the ingredients and prepare the chosen meals in
the home using the elder’s kitchen. The meals will be
frozen into portions to be heated up at a later date.
The Elder
Friend can assist with daily diet suggestions and cook with low salt/low
sugar/low fat requirements. Dietary needs can be
individualized. Because meals are prepared in the home,
all Kosher concerns can be addressed.
The elder
enjoys the opportunity to assist in the food preparation by offering special
recipes and secret tricks without the burden of shopping
and cleaning up. |
