Approaching the twilight of life is often marked by a reduced concern for diet and health, for many people.

Its justifications make it tempting. What good is watching what I eat when I’ll never be as fast or as strong as I once was? Isn’t retirement supposed to be about enjoying yourself, and not caring what others think? Is there any point in going out of my way to preserve a few extra years at the end?

There are, of course, a whole host of reasons why it is important to maintain a balanced diet into old age.

One reason being the ability to leave a memorable imprint on the minds of the youngest in your family. Read Armen’s article on how his 82-year-old grandfather inspired him to get into shape, for proof of how effective this can be in real life.

Oftentimes, what hinders someone from being healthy in later years, is not overindulging in food, it is underestimating the role of certain foods, nutrients, and eating habits, in maintaining good health, as they get older.

Elderly Diet: 4 Important Things To Consider

Mr Redondo

1. Vitamin D

Vitamin D is often overlooked for senior citizens, but it is extremely important. In fact, if you spend most, or all, of your time indoors, it is highly likely that you will be vitamin D deficient.

Your body makes vitamin D for itself via the sun. But, this becomes more difficult as you get older, since most elderly people spend a lot of time indoors.

Bone density also decreases as you age, and if you are vitamin D deficit you are at a higher risk for low bone density. Women have a greater risk, too, because of the menopause. Vitamin D also plays a role in conditions like cancer, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and heart disease.

Therefore, your diet should always factor in a daily dose of vitamin D, as well as some regular weight-bearing exercise, to maintain healthy bones.

2. Calcium

Not having enough calcium in your diet can result in serious health issues. Long-term deficiency of calcium can lead to osteomalacia, and osteoporosis, amongst other things.

However, calcium is a mineral that can easily be found in your diet, and supplements are readily available, too.

All dairy products are a good source of calcium, but if you are allergic or lactose intolerant, you can find it in many other food products, such as figs, beans, okra, broccoli, and kale, etc.

3. Fiber

When you get older, your stomach takes a little longer to digest foods, and constipation can become a real inconvenience, as well as a contributing factor to poor health and wellbeing.

Fibrous foods are important at all stages of life, but particularly so when your digestive system slows down in later years. Some of the best fibrous foods include, beans, peas, bran cereals, oats, fruits (especially prunes) and vegetables.

Also, don’t forget to drink lots of water, too, particularly if you are increasing your fiber intake above what you normally eat.

4. Loss of Appetite

The struggle with dentures, a diminished sense of smell and taste, and the side-effects of other ailments, all contribute to a general misconception that lack of appetite amongst the elderly is normal.

Malnourishment in any individual is obviously a bad thing, but when you get older, you become more susceptible to it, as your desire to eat lessens, and dietary restrictions may make it more difficult for you to enjoy the things you once loved to eat.

However, according to Dr Morley, geriatrics director at Saint Louis University Hospital, a severe loss of appetite increases the likelihood that a person will die in the next six months.

So, if you’ve noticed a significant loss of appetite in recent days, contact your doctor or dietitian immediately, to discuss ways to make your diet more balanced and enjoyable.

The final years of your life can be some of the best — those trials and tribulations of a working life are behind you, and only rest and relaxation lay ahead of you — but only if you keep your body in tip-top shape.

That lasting imprint on your great-grand children can be one of a moving, smiling, lively person, making funny faces at the dinner table!

Do you have happy memories of an elderly loved one, who was fit and healthy in later life? We’d love to hear your story…