Free Home Healthcare
By Joana Morgado, Nutritionist at Lxiscare.
Intermittent fasting has become popular in recent years, but it isn’t a suitable recommendation for older adults. Nutritional needs change with age, the risk of malnutrition increases, and prolonged food restriction can worsen muscle loss (sarcopenia) and frailty. Any significant change to an older person’s diet should always be confirmed with a doctor or nutritionist first.
Why intermittent fasting isn’t recommended for seniors
Metabolism and body composition change with age: muscle mass naturally tends to decline, and long periods without eating make that loss worse rather than preventing it. Older adults also have less physiological reserve to cope with drops in blood sugar, a higher risk of dehydration, and often already-existing nutritional deficits, particularly in protein, vitamin D and calcium. Restricting food intake further, without medical supervision, tends to worsen these risks rather than bring any benefit.
What changes in nutritional needs with age
Contrary to what you might expect, protein needs don’t decrease with age, they actually increase, precisely to counter the loss of muscle mass. Calorie needs, on the other hand, tend to drop, since physical activity and basal metabolism slow down. In practice, the nutritional quality of each meal becomes more important than the quantity. Hydration, vitamin D, calcium and fibre deserve extra attention, and Portugal’s Directorate-General of Health publishes guidance (in Portuguese) on healthy eating with a specific focus on the nutritional risks of later life.
Nutrition priorities in Lxiscare’s home care
For the clients we support, nutrition follows these priorities:
- Ensuring adequate hydration, since older adults have a reduced sense of thirst and a higher risk of dehydration;
- Making sure protein intake is sufficient, to help prevent muscle loss;
- Adapting food texture when swallowing is difficult (dysphagia);
- Supervising meals, especially for people with dementia, where forgetfulness or disorientation can lead to eating too little or too much;
- Coordinating with the family and the responsible nutritionist or doctor whenever the diet needs adjusting.
These tasks are part of the everyday work of our home caregivers, alongside hygiene care, mobility support and medication management. For clients living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias, meal supervision deserves extra attention.
Warning signs to watch for
Some signs are worth paying attention to, and if they persist, should be reported to the person’s doctor: unintentional weight loss, persistent loss of appetite, difficulty swallowing or frequent choking, a dry mouth, dark urine, or confusion (possible signs of dehydration). Portugal’s SNS24 health service publishes general guidance (in Portuguese) on healthy eating.
For more on the health care we provide at home, see our Home Healthcare page. Do you have an elderly relative and need support managing their day-to-day nutrition? Contact Lxiscare and ask for a free assessment.