A lot on
THEIR PLATE

This situation is all the more concerning as seniors’ nutritional needs differ from those of younger adults. While their caloric needs remain relatively similar, older individuals require more protein to maintain muscle mass—an often overlooked necessity. Whether seniors prepare their own meals or rely on their loved ones to do so, there are guides available to ensure they receive proper nutrition. Malnutrition affects 4 to 10% of seniors living at home, with significant and serious consequences for their overall health. The key is to balance taste enjoyment with truly beneficial nutrition. In the documentary “100 Years of Fulfillment: The Secrets of the Blue Zones”, author Dan Buettner explores the longevity secrets of seniors worldwide, and unsurprisingly, one of them is diet.

Another troubling issue beyond the contents of the plate is the packaging: eco- and socially-conscious design is still inadequately addressed. Poorly thought-out ergonomics, difficult-to-open packages, hard-to-grasp containers, and unreadable information on the front or back of products—all fall short. For instance, laundry detergent pods, designed to prevent children from ingesting them with their complex opening mechanisms, are completely inaccessible for individuals with reduced hand strength, musculoskeletal problems, or coordination issues. The heavy detergent jugs aren’t much easier to handle either, not to mention the environmental concerns.

Boredom, loneliness, physiological changes, and exclusive packaging can reduce seniors’ appetite and the quality of their diet. Naturally, when you’re in a society that hasn’t made a place for you at the table, your appetite diminishes. Beyond food, the issue is broader: for seniors, even essential daily tasks like doing the laundry can become difficult, if not impossible, to carry out.