home meals service

As we get older, our bones become weaker and if we fall we’re more likely to hurt ourselves. For Falls Awareness Week, we look at some simple tips for taking care of your bones and staying steady on your feet. Falling over is one of the biggest risks to independent living for older people. Because bones become more brittle as we age, it can lead to breaks or injuries that can really affect your quality of life, and knock your confidence about doing things on your own.  

Following Food Safety Week we’re helping spread the message about how to cut the chance of getting food poisoning. By following a few simple tips, you can make sure the food you prepare is always safe to eat. Foodborne illnesses aren’t pleasant for anyone. But they pose a bigger risk in later life, as our immune systems weaken with age meaning it can take longer to recover. To reduce your chances of getting ill, you should always follow these simple tips:

It’s Carers Week, and we’re sharing our top tips for making sure you and the person you care for enjoy a balanced diet. Being a carer for a loved one comes with a whole host of challenges – particularly when it comes to mealtimes. Whether because of illness, disability or becoming less active, many people can find it difficult to eat or find that their dietary needs or appetite have changed. Here a few ways to make mealtimes easier, and help the person you care for get the nutrients they need:

As the weather gets warmer, we take a look at some refreshing, flavour-packed smoothies to help you keep cool.  If you find getting your 5 a day can sometimes be a chore, try drinking, rather than eating them. Digging out the blender and making a juice or smoothie is a simple, tasty way to pack loads of fruit (and even vegetables) into your daily diet. And because smoothies are thicker than other liquids, they’re also a great refreshment option for people with difficulties swallowing.

Spicy food can be just the thing in the warmer weather but there’s another great reason to try something new and exotic. From soothing joint pain to easing indigestion, we look at the surprising health benefits thought to be behind some of our favourite spices. They are the secret behind some of our most popular ready meals, from curries and Mediterranean classics to warming desserts. But far from simply adding mouth-watering flavours, these small yet powerful seasonings are believed to be good for us, too.

We’re all used to hearing about how exercise and a balanced diet help keep our hearts healthy. But a healthy lifestyle is also essential for looking after your brain. Here we explore some tips that could reduce your chances of developing Alzheimer’s in later life. Alzheimer’s disease affects the brain, causing a range of symptoms such as memory loss, difficulty concentrating and becoming confused and disorientated. Although no main cause has been found, people who keep their blood pressure, cholesterol and weight in check are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s as they get older.

For those who follow a diet without gluten – whether because of Coeliac disease or a wheat intolerance – finding quick and easy dinners can be a challenge. But with Oakhouse, there’s no need to spend hours in the kitchen each day, thanks to our selection of delicious, gluten-free ready meals. Many people who have to avoid ingredients containing gluten – such as wheat, barley and rye – choose to prepare meals from scratch. However, for anyone who finds it difficult to cook each day, it isn’t always easy to find simple-to-make, gluten free dishes. That’s because gluten can crop up where you least expect it, in anything from soups and sauces to some supermarket ready meals.

Along with a balanced diet, regular exercise is really important for staying happy and healthy as we age. Here we look at some popular ways to stay fit – ranging from outdoor hobbies to group classes. Getting older can sometimes make it difficult to exercise regularly. But staying active can have so many benefits. From simple things like getting out of your chair more easily, to staying steady on your feet and avoiding falls. This doesn’t mean we all need to take up jogging round the park. There are plenty of gentle forms of exercise that make a real difference to your health – and provide great reasons for leaving the house and meeting new people.

Having a food allergy can make it stressful to find safe, tasty meals – particularly if it’s difficult for you to prepare food from scratch. This Allergy Awareness Week, Oakhouse Foods makes it simple to enjoy delicious ready meals that suit your diet. Many people who have allergies choose to prepare their food themselves, so they can be absolutely sure they don’t contain allergens. But for older people living at home, cooking meals each day can become a challenge.

From loss of appetite to limited mobility, old age can bring physical challenges that make it difficult to enjoy a healthy, balanced diet. Here we look at essential nutrients that can help combat age-related illnesses, and guidance about including them in day-to-day meals. A vital part of nutritional management for older people is including the right vitamins and minerals in their diet. These are found in a whole range of ingredients, from meat and fish to fruit, green vegetables and cereals.