As autumn turns to winter, what we eat and drink can play an important part in helping us stay well. For older people who spend much of their time at home, regular nutritious meals and drinks can also bring comfort, warmth and routine to the day.

The good news is that eating well doesn’t have to mean complicated recipes or spending hours in the kitchen.

Make meals warming and nourishing

When the temperature drops, a warm meal can be particularly welcome.

Soups, stews, casseroles and other simple cooked meals can be easy ways to include vegetables, protein and other nutritious ingredients. They can also be prepared in larger quantities, with portions frozen for another day.

Frozen vegetables are useful to have in the freezer too. They’re convenient, last longer and can make preparing a balanced meal much easier.

For an older person living alone, having a few nutritious meals ready in the freezer can be especially helpful on days when they don’t feel like cooking.

Keep meals regular

Appetite can change as we get older, and some people may not feel like preparing a meal just for themselves.

Try to encourage a regular routine around meals. If a large plate feels overwhelming, smaller meals or nourishing snacks throughout the day may feel more manageable.

Family members can help too. You could have lunch together when you visit, prepare an extra portion of a favourite meal to leave in the fridge or freezer, or simply check that there are easy-to-prepare foods available.

For families in Sandbach, Congleton and Macclesfield, this is something worth thinking about before the colder weather really arrives. If bad weather makes getting to the shops more difficult, having a few essentials and prepared meals at home can provide valuable reassurance.

Add plenty of variety

Eating a variety of different foods can help provide the nutrients our bodies need.

Try including different fruits and vegetables throughout the week. Fresh produce is great, but frozen and tinned options can also be convenient, particularly for someone

who doesn’t get to the shops frequently.

Planning a few meals in advance can make things easier too, while helping to make sure there’s always something suitable available.

Don’t forget about drinks

We often think about staying hydrated during hot summer weather, but drinking regularly remains important throughout autumn and winter too.

Encourage drinks throughout the day rather than waiting until someone feels thirsty.

A warming cup of tea, a milky drink or a bowl of soup can all be welcome on a colder day. One simple idea is to make sure a drink is always within easy reach of an older person’s favourite chair.

How can you help an older person eat well at home?

Sometimes it isn’t knowing what to eat that’s the problem. Shopping for ingredients, preparing food or finding the motivation to cook when living alone can all become more difficult.

There are plenty of simple ways family members, friends and carers can help:

• Check the fridge and cupboards when you visit

• Help plan meals for the week

• Pick up groceries or arrange a food delivery

• Prepare extra portions that can be frozen

• Make sure drinks are within easy reach

• Sit down and enjoy a meal or cup of tea together

• Encourage regular meals and drinks throughout the day

Food is about more than what’s on the plate. Sharing a meal or even sitting down for a cup of tea can provide valuable companionship too.

A lunchtime visit in Congleton, dropping off some homemade soup for a parent in Sandbach, or checking that a loved one in Macclesfield has everything they need for the week are all simple ways to provide a little extra support.

Plan ahead for colder days

Now is a good time to check that an older loved one has some basic food supplies at home before winter weather arrives.

Think about foods they enjoy that are also easy to prepare, along with a few longer-lasting or frozen options for days when getting to the shops might be more difficult.

Batch cooking can be useful too. Preparing several portions at once and freezing some for later can make it much easier to have a warm meal available when it’s needed.

💚 How Ablewell can help

Our carers support older people across Sandbach, Congleton, Macclesfield and the surrounding areas to continue living safely and independently in their own homes.

As part of a visit, a carer can prepare meals and hot drinks, encourage clients to eat and drink regularly, and provide companionship while they enjoy their meal.

They can also help make sure the home is warm and comfortable, support clients to dress appropriately for the weather and provide the regular companionship and reassurance that can be particularly important during the colder months.

For families, knowing someone is visiting and checking that their loved one is eating, drinking and keeping well can provide valuable peace of mind.

If you’re considering extra support for a loved one this autumn and winter, contact Ablewell today to arrange an assessment and find out how we can help them remain warm, well and independent in their own home.