5 Ways to Discuss Nutrition with Your Aging Parent
A good diet is important for aging parents. It helps deliver the much-needed nutrients to improve their general health. Talking to your parents about changing their diets may be a tall order, as they are likely to resist any attempts to interfere with their personal lives. You can still help them however in understanding the importance of a healthy diet and effect the required changes. Here are some ways that you can do it.
1. Start by Showing that you Care
Start regular discussions with your aging parent before introducing the topic of nutrition. You can start by calling him or her regularly or passing by to see how he or she is doing. This creates a conducive atmosphere to introduce nutrition as one of the topics in your discussions. He or she is more likely to listen if it is part of the many things that you discuss regularly.
2. Loop in the Family Doctor
Your parent may consider the advice of the family doctor sooner than yours. You may first discuss the matter with your family doctor and have him communicate the same to your parent when he or she comes for medication or check-up. Where possible, ask the doctor to call you in when discussing nutrition. You can then carry on the conversation at home with the backing of the family doctor's sentiments. In the conversation with the family doctor, let the doctor explain some of the options that your parent can take to improve his or her nutritional intake. The options should be something that the parent can afford.
3. Start the Conversation at the Right Moment
Timing is everything when it comes to fruitful conversations. Introduce the topic of nutrition when your parent is relaxed, happy, and not having any major issues such as health or disputes that are getting in the way. Discussions of these nature should always be friendly and relaxed. Give your parent time to express his or her views and concerns and resolve each of them in a friendly manner. Such a conversation may take more than one session to be concluded. Be patient and do not nag him or her into agreeing with your point of view.
4. Let your Parent be Part of the Decision Making
As mentioned earlier, aging parents often resist any change to their lifestyles. This may happen when discussing nutrition. The best way to help your parent is to point out the problem and let your parent be part of the decision making. Empathize with his or her situation and guide him or her to an amicable solution. For example, instead of telling him or her to eat a particular food, give possible alternatives and let him or her decide which food to accept.
5. Involve your Siblings
Take a unified approach when tackling nutritional problems affecting your parent. Discuss the issue with your siblings and come up with a strategy. More likely than not, your parent will call one or two of your siblings and mention what you discussed together. It is good that the topic is discussed in a family gathering, as it increases the chances that your parent will accept the suggestion. However, if that is not possible due to sibling commitments, have their blessings when you bring it up with your parent.
Do not impose anything on your parent. Matters that you do not resolve may have to wait for a while until you have another discussion. Most parents would appreciate your concern, explain their fears, and agree to a workable nutritional solution if the timing and approach to the issues are right.
Interested in learning more about senior nutrition? Read this article to find out the best foods to eat to ensure optimal health.
