Good nutrition is often a challenge for seniors, but important to allow them to extend their healthy, active years. Appetites decline and cooking is a chore especially for someone living alone. Social isolation, medications, health conditions and chewing problems also contribute. Making time to gather friends or family for regular meals helps to improve appetite. Small frequent meals are recommended to improve intake. You may also consider a daily nutritional (protein) drink, there are many out there now so buy a few samples and see which one they like best. One small study showed that intermediate memory improved while plasma B12 increased with a daily nutritional drink.
Increased homocysteine levels indicates increased inflammation and is an important factor in many chronic conditions including heart and vascular disease, diabetes complications, cancer, osteoporosis and cognitive decline . Higher homocysteine can result from insufficient folate, B6 and B12 levels. Some causative factors include red meat and dairy consumption, certain prescription drugs such as antacids or PPI’s (acid reflux meds), obesity, smoking and advancing age. Speak to your loved ones doctor about supplements such as folate, B6, B12, vitamin C and other supplemental minerals. Omega-3 fatty acids may also complement any supplemental regimen. In addition, vitamin D3 should be supplemented. Lack of sunlight, gallbladder removal and many other factors lead to a deficiency of this vital vitamin. Vitamin D3 deficiency plays host to a long list of diseases and conditions. A microencapsulated liquid form has proven best in a recent study (see below). Whole foods are always best when considering nutrition but when appetites decline supplementation is necessary. You may want to do some research on the bioavailability of the vitamin products you chose, taking vitamins that are not well used by the body is literally washing money down the toilet, leaving you still deficient.
In closing, also consider fiber intake, especially those found in dark leafy greens to add iron, but oatmeal is good too!