The world of Tzu Chi February 2021(Vol.131)

2021 • 02 56 ellness Translated by Leena Meal Planning for Seniors If we take our oral health lightly, it is very likely that we will be plagued by gum disease, tooth decay and other problems as we grow older, which will, in turn, affect normal eating and cause nutritional and health problems. M y hobbies as a child were mostly static activities like drawing. Back then, we could not afford to buy a new box of coloured pencils right when I ran out of them. Therefore, when I got a brand-new box of coloured pencils, I would use them very carefully. When I took the coloured pencils out of my bag, I was always extra careful so as not to drop them, and I did not use a pencil sharpener. Instead, I used a boxcutter to sharpen them slowly, bit by bit. I cherished them, because I did not get them very often. Strange as it may sound, I take care of my teeth in the same way I used to take care of my coloured pencils. I understand that oral hygiene and physical health are closely related. I see my dentist regularly for dental check-up. Besides cleaning our teeth carefully, we should also develop the habit of flossing before going to bed. Failing to maintain our oral hygiene, we may suffer from periodontal disease, tooth decay and other problems when we advance to old age, which would then affect normal eating, and further develop into nutritional and health problems. If we lose our healthy teeth, needless to say, there is no saying in cherishing them. Recently, I met a relative in her 60s who could not eat as normal because of her receding gums and ill-fitting dentures. She has always been skinny, but now she looked tired and frail. Before we talk about nutritional supplements for elderly people, firstly, they must be able to bite and have the appetite to eat. Only then can we focus on what to eat, how to eat and how much to eat. Elderly people with dental problems may consult a dentist to see if dentures or implants are needed. Loss of teeth or ill-fitting dentures will affect the chewing function of elderly people. As a result, they would avoid vegetables and fruits that they have difficulty chewing, and would prefer to eat fine and soft food, such as cakes, and bread or crackers that are softened with hot drinks. Some of them will eat only staple foods, like plain porridge to fill their stomach. These are food with low nutritional value, and even if they are satiating, they do not provide enough protein for the elderly. Some seniors would stew chicken soup and just drink it with rice, thinking that would suffice to provide for the protein that they need. A pot of tomato and egg ‘mee suah’ (noodle) soup would be a better choice. Protein is significant for the elderly. Insufficient protein intake, coupled with inadequate exercise, will lead to rapid muscle loss, sarcopenia and increased risk of falls. In addition, elderly people with long-term protein deficiency will have a weaker immune system and more prone to illness. For seniors who have trouble chewing meat or cannot stand the smell of fish, caregivers may use tofu, steamed eggs or milk as a substitute to supplement their proteins.