WHAT’S for dinner?
It should be one of life’s simpler questions, but for thousands of family carers looking after an ageing parent, partner or relative, the answer can involve considerably more than opening the fridge and seeing what needs using.
Throw diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, dementia or other chronic conditions into the mix and suddenly the kitchen table can feel a little like a nutritionist’s consulting room.
Research examining the role family caregivers play in nutrition has found about one in four carers of older adults helps manage nutrition and dietary modifications.
That can mean planning menus, deciphering food labels, buying groceries, tweaking much-loved recipes and keeping an eye on whether lunch was actually eaten – all while attempting to make sense of dietary advice for potentially several health conditions.
As people age, they generally need fewer calories, but may require more protein, fibre and other nutrients.
