Diet for Geriatric Rehabilitation | ApoKos Rehabilitation
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Diet In Geriatric Rehabilitation

Going through rehabilitation procedures at an old age can be difficult for patients due to both physical and mental weakness. A well balanced and healthy diet is extremely necessary for development and regeneration of the cells in the body, so that rehabilitation has a positive effect on the system. Every form of rehabilitation entails a long term procedure that involves different types of exercises, counselling, and intake of healthy food along with regular medicines. Every elderly person going through a rehabilitation procedure must follow a proper diet chart in order to maintain proficient health conditions ever after the procedure is completed. Here are a few tips to help you build a diet chart with accordance to your health requirements during and after rehabilitation procedures.

 

  1. Food Rich in Minerals – Minerals like calcium, iron, potassium, and zinc restore the body’s energy levels and ensure proper functioning of the brain. Calcium has a special property of keeping the bone health and density intact. Foods rich in minerals must be consumed on a daily basis, so that health problems related to old age can be kept at bay. Such foods include bananas, milk, yoghurt, watermelons, apples, beans, lentils, Bengal gram, whole grains, and green leafy vegetables. Regular consumption of these mineral-rich foods enable the body to function in a holistic manner, thereby gradually beginning to regain strength to become as independent as possible.
  2. Food Rich in Vitamins – Vitamins are essential sources of nutrients for the body. Foods that are particularly rich in vitamins A, B, C, and D are required for the body to retain its essential nutrients. Consuming a healthy diet of fresh fruits and vegetables is recommended throughout and after the rehabilitation procedure. Such foods include broccoli, carrots, apples, mangoes, spinach, almonds, bell peppers, peas, and citrus fruits. A regular intake of these foods ensure a boost in overall health conditions.
  3. Food Rich in Omega 3 Fatty Acids – Omega 3 is a vital source of healthy fats that act as the core catalyst that supports the functions of the heart. With age, it is necessary to deteriorate in terms of health. Hence it is important to keep the heart functioning at a steady pace. Heart problems can take a heavy toll on the patients’ lives. Undergoing rehabilitation procedures require a lot of emotional challenge too, which can affect the heart. To maintain a healthy heart, foods like eggs, fish oils, soya, spinach, cauliflower, tuna, walnuts, and pumpkin seeds, must be eaten, as they help retain proper functioning of the heart.
  4. Food to Boost Eyesight – Depreciation of eyesight is an extremely common phenomenon in old age. With the loss of eyesight, patients lose most of their independence. But rehabilitation is all about attempting to regain independence as much as possible. Hence, during the process of rehabilitation, it is important to take essential steps to help remain independent. Foods like carrots, spinach, green peppers, broccoli, corn, garlic, fish, which boost eyesight and are excellent for optic health, must be consumed routinely.
  5. Food to Boost Brain Cells – With increase in age, the brain cells gradually cease to reinstate and rejuvenate regularly. At times there is also a decay in the grey cells, which leads to major diseases that negatively affect the whole body. It is vital to regularly nourish the body with foods that replenish the essential cells of the brain. Such foods include almonds, walnuts, eggs, berries, fish, cabbage, spinach, and pumpkin seeds. Daily doses of these rich nutritious foods help the brain to maintain its natural health, making old age easier to handle.

Health problems are bound to arise during old age. Many a time, old age problems can be handled effectively through rehabilitation procedures. In order to go through any kind of rehabilitation process, it is necessary for the patients to maintain an overall healthy condition. Both the body and the mind should be fit and prepared for a lengthy therapeutic challenge ahead. By consuming healthy foods that cater to the bodily requirements of patients, it is easier to undergo rehabilitation procedures that help regain as much independence as possible.

Dr Anirudh Chirania

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