Ella Stewart Care
  • Home
  • About
  • Services
    • Ella Care
    • Ella Management
    • Ella Assistance
    • Our Care Guarantee
  • Caregivers
  • FAQs
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Employment
  • Employee Portal
  • Blog Archives
  • Home
  • About
  • Services
    • Ella Care
    • Ella Management
    • Ella Assistance
    • Our Care Guarantee
  • Caregivers
  • FAQs
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Employment
  • Employee Portal
  • Blog Archives

Senior Food Health - Compensating for Loss of Taste in the Elderly

1/13/2016

0 Comments

 
By Anna Hazard
Picture
As we age, many people discover that their preferences for certain types of foods will wax or wane. This is particularly true with the elderly who may begin to lose their enjoyment of meals with a diminished ability to distinguish flavors.
 
People are normally born with 10,000+ tastebuds, a number which begins to significantly decline after age 50. This, compounded with a diminishing sense of smell as we grow older and with the declining production of saliva leads to a blunting effect upon the sense of taste
 
While this can be a normal part of the aging process, it could also be a symptom of something else, so please double check with your doctor for any sudden or gradual changes in taste or smell. Certain prescription medicines such as antibiotics, blood pressure maintainers, and antidepressants could also have the side effect of dysgeusia -- a bitter or salty taste in the mouth.
 
Further complications arise when it comes to trying to compensate for the loss in flavor due to the tendency of increased chance of diabetes or dietary restrictions in the elderly, especially as the sense of sweetness or saltiness tend to be the first to go.Taking all into consideration, keep these following tips and tricks in mind.

Picture
  • More flavorful spices such as citrus, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, or honey can be used to compensate for sugar
Picture
  • Pureed fruit or broth (cooked at a low heat to help reduce its liquid content while amplifying its taste) can be substituted for fats, gravies, or creams
Picture
  • Substitute fresh herbs & flavored or aged vinegar for salt (making sure not to oversalt  as that increases blood pressure) Some suggestions for herb combinations include basil or oregano for Italian and Greek foods, cilantro for Mexican and Asian, and turmeric for Indian cuisine
Picture
  • Intensify the flavor of meat, poultry, or fish by pansearing, broiling, or grilling
Picture
  • Vegetables can be enhanced by grilling or roasting along with the addition of caramelizing garlic or onions for sweetness
Picture
  • Hot foods are best served hot as well as vice versa for the opposite cold foods. Increasing (for hot foods) or decreasing (for cold foods) their temperature a few careful degrees can help enhance their taste (Just be careful not to scald those tastebuds!)
Picture
  • The sense of thirst can also decline with the sense of taste, so make certain your elderly loved ones keep hydrated with plenty of water which can flavored with fruit juice
Picture
  • Even when foods don't taste as intense as they used to be, meals can be greatly enjoyed as social events in themselves
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    About

    News updates, tips, and guides on senior care, senior health, stress relief and a host of other caregiving related topics from the professionals at Ella Stewart Care.

    Full Archive

    Categories

    All
    Crafts & Activities
    Dementia
    Equipment
    Fitness
    Guest Post
    Guides
    Health
    Holidays
    News
    Nutrition
    Safety
    Seasons
    Technology

    Archives

    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015

    RSS Feed

Call us with questions or to schedule an appointment ​

(410)826-0099

​Hours

​M-F: 9am - 5pm

Telephone

​410-826-0099

Email

mike@ellastewartcare.com
Home | Services | About | FAQs | Caregivers | Blog  | Site Map | Contact Us