Home Instead Senior Care Network
Tackles Senior Nutrition Issue
According to the U.S. Census
data more than 40% of our elderly population (approximately 6.7 million
seniors) live alone. A significant obstacle to maintaining a healthy
lifestyle for those seniors living alone can be a lack of making mealtimes
a social experience.
Poor diet and inadequate
nutrition can impact upon a person’s wellbeing and health dramatically.
The Home Instead Senior Care network has announced the launch of a new
program to address the need to ensure more elderly people have companionship
and enjoy shared mealtime experiences.
‘Craving Companionship’ is
a new public education program aimed at highlighting the risks for elderly
people whose isolation and loneliness may result in skipping meals or eating
a poor diet. Research conducted by Home Instead also suggests that
the depression often brought on by aging and isolation can seriously affect
an elderly person’s appetite.
The ‘Craving Companionship’
campaign includes a number of resources and practical advice about how
to encourage companionship and tips on easy recipes for nutritional meals.
It is important to understand
the warning signs that can indicate a senior may be at risk from poor nutrition.
Listed below are a few of the common signs that should be taken into account
when evaluating an elderly person’s dietary welfare:
The effect of medication – About
71% of seniors take three or more different meds a day. Meds can
alter a person’s physiology and a ‘cocktail’ of meds can actually often
result in a lack of appetite. Discuss with a senior’s health care
team how the meds they take may affect their appetite.
Balanced Diet – About 46% of
seniors who live alone do not consume enough fruit, vegetables or dairy
products. Find out about local farmer’s markets or home delivery
service from local stores.
Medical Conditions Affecting
Diet – Approximately 31% of seniors end up with an illness that results
in a need to change what they eat. Talk about how to adapt favorite
recipes and ensure mealtimes are social events.
Physical Problems – Around 25%
of seniors who live alone struggle to get to a grocery store, or even cook
for themselves. Try and ensure a senior has help getting to a store or
someone to run grocery errands. Talk to the local area Agency on
Aging about Meals On Wheels.
Food Going Out-of-Date – An
elderly person living alone can be prone to not using enough provisions
to use food within a ‘best before’ date. Try and regularly ensure
the contents of a refrigerator and cupboards are checked.
Grocery Shopping List – Keep
an eye on an elderly person’s grocery list and discuss with them what they
need.
Beware Empty Cupboards – Unforeseen
events can result in an elderly person being housebound for a few days,
or prevent a caregiver being able to visit. Ensure a senior has adequate
backup provisions in case of an emergency. Backup frozen homemade
meals are a good idea, plus a supply of some high-nutritional liquid meals.
Health Checks – Keep an eye
on things like skin tone and any weight changes. Hydration can be
very important in an elderly person, and a senior’s ability to experience
the thirst reflex can be impaired. Make sure they are taking plenty
of fluids – and always share an iced tea or such when visiting!
A good support network is key
to ensuring an elderly person living alone eats well and maintains optimum
health. Encourage a senior to have friends over for dinner or snacks.
Try and ensure that a senior has companionship and help preparing meals
when possible. Assisted daily living (ADL) tasks such as meal preparation
is one of the home care duties that a home care assistant can perform.
To find out more about the
‘Craving Companionship’ campaign visit www.homeinstead.com
