If you have a chronic medical condition, you need more than luck to make sure you’re getting the right amount of nutrition – an essential component in the management of conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, and more. In fact, what you eat often affects how your body responds to treatment. That’s why it is so important to follow a nutritional plan that includes a healthy diet of fruits, vegetables and protein.
Older adults with chronic illnesses are especially at risk for poor nutrition, which can be the result of bad eating habits, loss of appetite, and decreased access to healthy foods because of limited mobility, money, or time. Insufficient nutrition can also lead to in the loss of muscle and other tissue, which can:
- Make it harder to recover from surgery and illness
- Make it more difficult for wounds to heal
- Increase the risk of infection
- Increase the risk for falls
- Decrease the strength needed to take care of yourself
Home Health VNA has a team of registered dietitians that provide nutritional recommendations and teach patients about specific dietary guidelines based on their medical condition and lifestyle. They can also help with strategies for menu planning, grocery shopping and cooking. Remember, if you’re managing a chronic medical condition, it’s important to choose the proper foods that provide the best nutritional value to help you maintain strength, fuel recovery and stay active and independent.