Welcome back to the Griswold Blog, where we’re talking about healthy nutrition for your elderly loved one. As we stated in our last post, and in multiple posts before, isolation causes many negative emotional and physical effects for your loved one. Poor nutrition is one of them — whether it’s from a depressed desire to cook meals or a depressed desire to eat in general.

Your loved one is much more likely to eat regular, wholesome meals — and to enjoy eating — if he or she is surrounded by friends and/or family.

Make eating a social event. Bring a hot meal over to your loved one’s house. Invite him or her to your house and involve the rest of the family, especially the kids, in a community meal — and do it on a semi-regular basis, like once a week. Consider gathering everyone together for collaborative cooking!

In conclusion, make food synonymous with fun, friends and family.

Happy, healthy eating! Check back soon — or better yet, subscribe — for our last mindful munching post, which will offer a tiny tip with a big bite.