Millions of Family Caregivers Manage Complex Diets for Older Relatives – Often with Little Nutritional Guidance

A health services researcher who studies family caregiving discusses the complex challenges faced by the estimated 1 in 4 family caregivers who help older adults manage nutrition and dietary needs. Caregivers must navigate multiple, sometimes conflicting dietary requirements when their relatives have several chronic conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, or dementia, while also accounting for cultural food preferences and limited nutritional knowledge. Many caregivers lack adequate training and resources to handle these substantial responsibilities, which involve everything from meal planning to grocery shopping to ensuring proper nutrient intake.