Eat well and be healthy to help avoid hospital stays

NUTRITIONAL support for older people and their families is needed to ensure older people can remain happy, healthy and independent, living in their own home. â€Å“Older people with poor nutrition are more susceptible to infections, take longer to recover from illness and those admitted to hospital respond less well to treatment, stay longer in hospital and have poorer outcomes than well-nourished patients. â€Å“Chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease and conditions such as constipation are more common as people get older, therefore it is essential to put thought into the shopping list to help best manage your health,â€Â says Colman Gately of Home Instead Senior Care Galway.[private] Shopping tips for older people â€Â¢ Shop with others. Shopping can sometimes be seen as a chore - make it more sociable by shopping with a friend or family member. â€Â¢ Check with your local supermarket to see if it can deliver your groceries. â€Â¢ Look out for special price offers. Many local butchers, grocers and supermarkets run offers on nourishing produce that is in season. â€Â¢ Loyalty cards: ensure you have a loyalty card for the store(s) you shop in so you can avail of their special offers and promotions. â€Â¢ Freeze: When cooking for one it is easy to over-estimate portions. Instead of throwing away the excess food, why not freeze it to use as a dinner option on another day? â€Â¢ Always make a shopping list. Have a standard shopping list with core items such as fresh, frozen and tinned foods that can be stored. This can save time and money. â€Â¢ Donâ€â„¢t shop hungry. Shoppers are always tempted to buy more when they are hungry, so have a snack before hitting the aisles. â€Â¢ Think variety. Itâ€â„¢s easy to get in a rut. Donâ€â„¢t be afraid to try new foods and recipes. â€Â¢ Try store brands. The most costly brands are often placed at eye level. Store own brands, which may be cheaper and just as good, are often placed higher or lower on the grocery shelves. If you have trouble reaching, donâ€â„¢t be afraid to ask for help.[/private]