Tips: Summertime nutrition for seniors

New Zealand summertime is traditionally a time for relaxation and indulgence, starting with BBQs and Christmas dinners and continuing in that spirit until the cooler months creep up on us once again. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying a few treats over the holiday season but that doesn’t mean healthy eating needs to go out the window entirely. At Private Care NZ, we’ve learned that it can be particularly tricky for seniors to keep up with healthy eating habits over the summer months: medical conditions, medication, mobility issues and reduced energy can all put potential roadblocks in the way of sourcing and preparing nutritious meals.

That’s why, alongside in-home services like cleaning, medication reminders, and companionship, the Private Care NZ team now has a couple different meal-related offerings, as well as a Summer Check-in Care Package. Read on to find out more about the simple diet changes that can make a genuine difference for seniors over summer, and how Private Care NZ can help sustain these good habits.

Diet makes a huge difference to our health and wellbeing no matter what age we are, but there are a few nutritional priorities that change a little as we age, and it’s more important than ever for seniors to opt for foods that pack a punch in nutrition as well as flavour.

• High fibre foods like fruit, vegetables, legumes and wholegrain breads are often packed with nutrients but they’re also fantastic for gut health and can help avoid constipation resulting from medication or inactivity. Counterintuitively, preparing veggies in the microwave is actually one of the best ways to preserve their natural goodness, preventing nutrients from leaching out into water or cooking oil.
• Protein rich foods like chicken, fish, and eggs provide an essential energy boost, and also play a key role in strengthening and repairing skin, muscles, and other body tissues.
• Calcium is key for maintaining bone strength in the golden years (especially for women post-menopause). Dairy products are an obvious source of calcium, but it’s also found in foods like broccoli, almonds, and sardines.
• It’s no secret that cutting down on saturated fats is an easy win for heart health (plus a whole variety of other benefits) which means that popular takeaways like fish & chips, pizza, and burgers need to be avoided as regular quick-fix meal solutions as much as possible.

Thanks to Private Care NZ’s partnership with MADE by My Food Bag, takeaways and other unhealthy options don’t need to be the main fallback for those who (for whatever reason) don’t feel up to cooking. The people we care for can easily add MADE ready-made meal deliveries to their support package – no ongoing commitment needed, so they can simply order for the nights and weeks that suit them.

These ready-to-eat microwavable or oven-ready meals are handmade fresh every week from local New Zealand produce and free-range or free-farmed meats. Nutritious and delicious, MADE meals provide an attractive, no-hassle option for seniors to stay strong and healthy, and to avoid the worst aspects of summertime overindulgence.

We also partner with Uber Health, which means that not only can we organise transport for the people we support, our caregivers can also accompany them on their errands, including to the grocery store. Simply getting a bit of help with shopping can make all the difference for some older people.

Then there’s Private Care NZ’s in-home cooking service, which is often used on a temporary basis by those with an injury or recovering from surgery, but it extends to anyone in the community who could use a bit of help sorting out meals.

Between our meal-based offerings, our Summer Check-in Care Package, and our extensive array of other in-home support services, the team at Private Care NZ is ready to give Kiwis across the country the support they need to live fulfilling, independent lives in the comfort of their own home. If you think some of your patients might benefit from a little extra support over the summer (and beyond), get in touch with us on info@privatecarenz.com – we’d love to help.