What Foods Are Recommended for Elderly Individuals with Diarrhea?

Elderly individuals experiencing diarrhea should prioritize foods that are gentle on the stomach and help prevent dehydration. While the provided references do not specifically list foods for this condition, we can infer from general practices in long-term care facilities that easy-to-digest foods are typically recommended.

Recommended Foods:

• Bananas: Soft and easy to digest, bananas can help replenish potassium lost during diarrhea.
• Rice: Plain rice is bland and can help firm up stools.
• Applesauce: Made from cooked apples, it is gentle on the stomach.
• Toast: Plain toast is easy to digest and can help absorb excess liquid in the digestive tract.

Additional Tips:

• Hydration: Encourage drinking plenty of fluids, such as water or clear broths, to prevent dehydration. However use caution with certain broths as they can contain high levels of sodium which may not be suitable for certain elderly patients
• Avoid: Foods that are high in fats or sugars, as they can worsen diarrhea.

These suggestions align with practices that aim to support digestive health in elderly individuals, as discussed in the context of long-term care settings.