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A HEALTHY DIET
Live Strong and Safe: Falls Prevention

A healthy, well-balanced diet can help you maintain good health in general, especially bone health.  And, strong bones and general good health can help minimize your risk of having a fall.  (Of course it is also important to balance a healthy diet with physical activity.)

   NUTRITION REMAINS IMPORTANT YOUR WHOLE LIFE:

• Many chronic diseases that develop late in life, such as osteoporosis, can be influenced by earlier poor habits. Insufficient exercise and calcium intake, especially during adolescence and early adulthood, can significantly increase the risk of osteoporosis, a disease that causes bones to become brittle and crack or break, resulting in higher fall risk and/or increased difficulty in recovering from a fall.
   
• Studies show that a good diet in later years helps both in reducing the risk of certain diseases and in managing the diseases' signs and symptoms.  This contributes to a higher quality of life, enabling older people to maintain their independence by continuing to perform basic daily activities, such as bathing, dressing and eating.
   
• Osteoporosis, obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, certain cancers, gastrointestinal problems, and chronic under-nutrition have all been shown to be improved through a healthy diet.
   
• Poor nutrition, on the other hand, can prolong recovery from illnesses and falls, can increase the costs and incidence of institutionalization, and can lead to a lower quality of life.          

(NY State Office for Aging)

Nutrition Resource Materials
Click on the links below to view, print or download each item.

Follow the Rainbow: A Colorful Diet is the Best Way to Eat
     > An Area 4 Agency on Aging publication
     >

     > pdf format, X pages

Nutrition Activity Quiz
     > An Area 4 Agency on Aging publication
     > A simple self-check for seniors
     > pdf format, 1 page

Nutrition Programs and Services Locally

Nutrition Links
A wealth of information on every nutritional topic imaginable can be found at the federal website: www.nutrition.gov

Health professionals looking for information on calcium-bearing foods can visit the Dairy Council of California website.

New York State’s Office for Aging has an easy to read website featuring a page on Eating Well which is of value for both seniors and people working in the aging services field.

For seniors and others looking for tips on meal planning, quick and easy recipes, and more, check out: www.mealsmatter.org

More Links (for seniors or caregivers)

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