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Abacare offers advice on healthy eating to the elderly
| Published: 15th September 2020 13:53 |
AN AWARD-WINNING Welsh care agency is offering its advice on the importance of healthy eating to the elderly as part of BNF (British Nutrition Foundation) Healthy Eating Week this month (September 2020).
Abacare says it is extremely important that the elderly are well hydrated and eat the right meals, ensuring they get all the nutrients they need.
Neil Griffiths, Regional Manager at Abacare, which provides care across Wales, said: “As part of Healthy Eating Week, which takes place from September 28 until October 4, we’re offering our expert advice on how the elderly can have a healthy diet and why it’s so important for them to do so.
“A diet rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids is a must and will have great benefits for the skin – salmon, broccoli, blueberries and nuts are all rich in antioxidants, so should feature in an elderly person’s diet on a regular basis.
“Protein is also important with each meal. Not only can it help energy levels but it is great for keeping the skin firm. Fats such as avocado can help dry or mature skin hold onto water too.
“As a treat, a small piece of dark chocolate (70% chocolate or more) is a great source of magnesium and is very high in antioxidants. It can help prevent free radical cell damage and research has linked it with helping to lower blood pressure.
“It’s important that an elderly person’s diet is varied and that they continue to enjoy food. Colourful fruit and vegetables can really help liven up mealtimes and provide lots of nutrients too.”
The BNF Healthy Eating Week is about raising awareness for the charity and how to eat more healthily and live a better life.
It wants to encourage and promote healthy eating and drinking habits, being physically active, food provenance and cooking from scratch as opposed to eating out and ready-made, processed food.
Neil added: “As well as personal and hygiene care, our carers also take on tasks such as preparing meals for our service users and we work closely with them and their families to ensure they get everything they need in their diet to remain as fit and healthy as possible.
“We are currently in an age of ‘super foods’. One that we recommend for our elderly service users is kale, as it is one of the most nutritionally rich vegetables around and is an excellent source of vitamins K, A and C. It is also virtually fat free and low in calories too.
“Garlic, while not being brilliant for your breath in the morning, is another super food that should be in everyone’s diet. Research has also shown that it can decrease osteoarthritis in women, contains other compounds that have been found to help protect cells in the heart and also lowers blood pressure.
“Berries can support brain and cognitive function and help reduce depression. Bananas contain B6, amino acid tryptophan and carbohydrate to help boost mood and aid a good night’s sleep. Eggs contain vitamin D, which stimulates the production of serotonin in the brain and a drink of green tea is great for aiding digestion.
“If anyone would like any more information on healthy eating, they can check out our blog at www.abacare.org.uk/abacare-blog for more helpful advice and ideas for dishes. We’ll also be taking part in the #BNFHEW20 hashtag on social media and encouraging others to get involved.”
Abacare operates a professional Care Management Team that is committed to providing high quality care to individuals in their own homes.
The large team of trained, specialist, care workers provide positive based outcomes and person-centred care to people throughout the UK.
Abacare’s core values, instilled into every staff member, include ‘make us proud’, ‘focus on our service users’ wellbeing’, ‘communicate, listen well and speak with respect’, ‘be passionate, honest, caring and considerate’, ‘recruit and develop the very best’ and ‘lead by example’.
It believes it offers inspiring work for inspirational people as well as a flexible and supported working environment.
Neil added: “Anyone who would like a job for life looking after people, can take on a career in care with us. Being a carer is a highly skilled, professional vocational occupation that is essential to the fabric of our society and the beauty of a job for life means people can start at the very bottom and work their way up with training and qualifications.
“We are looking for kind, honest, caring and reliable individuals who wish to have a stable and long-term career in care, and who would like to forge rewarding relationships with the service users they care for. No experience is necessary to become a carer, as free, full training is given.
“We can provide our free, full training on a fast-track basis to make sure everyone we take on is ready. This includes a company induction, first aid, information on dementia, health and safety, food safety, infection control, handling medication and moving and handling service users, with the opportunity to achieve Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF) after the initial three months probationary period. The Government has also taken steps to ensure a quicker turnaround on DBS checks, so people can get into work quicker.
“New recruits are given free uniforms, access to national staff discount scheme for all major brands as well as 28 days paid holiday, paid travel between calls and paid mileage.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who is looking for a change of career or someone who just fancies a bit of a change. Being a carer is an extremely rewarding job and you get to meet lots of wonderful people too.”
Anyone interested should contact their nearest branch and details of these can be found at https://abacare.org.uk/contact-us/. People can also find out more information about job vacancies at www.indeed.com/cmp/Abacare.
Abacare is a member of the United Kingdom Homecare Association, Ceretas (formerly British Association of Domiciliary Care), The National Homecare Council and The Information Commissioners Office (Data Protection). It is also registered with the Care Inspectorate Wales.
For more information or to enquire about a position at Abacare, please visit www.abacare.org.uk or www.indeed.com/cmp/Abacare. Alternatively, please follow the company on Facebook at http://bit.ly/2S5LDgb or on Twitter by visiting www.twitter.com/visitabacare.
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