Dr. Lindsay Jones-Born: How To Prevent Senior Malnourishment
Nearly four million seniors are malnourished in the United States, according to The American Academy of Family Physicians. While this number is staggering, it's not surprising. From changing taste buds, to the physical demands of preparing meals, a lack of companionship in some cases and even dental problems that make it uncomfortable to eat, seniors face a plethora of challenges when it comes to maintaining a nutritious diet. As most of us have an elderly loved one in our lives, these statistics are a reminder that we must understand the issues associated with eating well and how we can help.
Recognizing the widespread impact of these problems, I teamed up with A Place for Mom, the nation's largest senior living referral service. As a physician and a daughter, I'm motivated to help this organization shed light on the difficulties our seniors encounter in trying to eat well and how tweaking their diets can vastly improve their health and quality of life.
First things First
When taking stock of your loved one's health, pantries and refrigerators are a good place to start. If they are bare or contain old food, this could be a clue about the way they are eating.
An unusual amount of weight loss or weight gain can also be a sign of malnourishment. Check the fit of their clothing; you may find it's excessively loose or tight. Other signs include unnatural-looking and excessive bruises and wounds that take a long time heal, which can point to a lack of proper food consumption.
How to Help
Education and encouragement can make a difference for seniors who may be struggling. If appetites are low, it is important that meals are packed with essential vitamins and nutrients. Consider incorporating these five essential nutrients and vitamins when planning meals.
Folic Acid
Folic acid helps to decrease the buildup of high blood levels of homocysteine, which can put seniors at risk for heart disease and other chronic illnesses. It is also needed for proper red blood cell production. Foods high in folic acid include: spinach, asparagus, lentils and many fortified breakfast cereals.
B12
B12 helps our bodies synthesize protein and aids in mental function. Many older adults can no longer absorb enough, so increasing B12 rich foods and adding a vitamin supplement should be considered. Recommended foods are: turkey, chicken, beef, eggs, milk, baked salmon, clams, mussels and crab.
Vitamin C
The body's need for vitamin C increases with age. Seniors should incorporate at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Strawberries, oranges, grapefruit, tomatoes, broccoli, red bell pepper and potatoes are all rich in vitamin C.
Vitamin D
As we age, vitamin D can't synthesize in the skin as quickly, but fortunately levels can be boosted by eating foods with quantities like oatmeal, fortified cereal, egg yolk, canned pink salmon, sardines or mackerel, cow's milk or soy milk and orange juice fortified with vitamin D.
Essential Fatty Acids
Fatty acids play a central role in reducing inflammation in the body. The best source is fish, which should be consumed at least two times a week. Flax seeds are also rich in essential fatty acids and can be sprinkled on to a number of dishes, including salads, cereals and smoothies.
Last but not least, seniors need to stay hydrated and should have nine 8-ounce glasses of fluid a day. Water is best.
More information on these vitamins, along with other nutrition tips and recipes, can be found on this helpful Senior Nutrition blog.
Regardless of age, maintaining a healthy, balanced diet can be difficult. Whether grocery shopping together or assisting in meal planning, supporting a loved one can have a big impact on his or her choices and quality of life -- and maybe your own as well.
Earlier on Huff/Post50:
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Join A Support Group
Talking with other people who face the same daily challenges can help caregivers manage stress. Specific types of support groups can vary on a community-by-community basis; check out this Caregiver.com <a href="http://www.caregiver.com/regionalresources/index.htm">guide</a> to find the right program for you.
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Join An Online Support Group
Caregivers have their hands full and may not have the time to meet with an in-person support group. In that case, <a href="http://www.aarp.org/online-community/groups/index.action?slGroupKey=Group92">an online support group</a> can be a great alternative. <a href="https://www.manystrong.com/?utm_source=aarp&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=caregiving">
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Check Out A Message Board
Support groups not your thing? You can see what other people are saying about caregiving by just checking out a <a href="http://www.aarp.org/online-community/forums.action/relationships_caregiving_anyone-talk-their-parents">simple message board, such as this one sponsored by AARP.</a>.
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Get Some Help
You may need to attend an event or simply seek a few hours for some much-needed rest. Eldercare.net offers a <a href="http://archrespite.org/search-for-respite">Search For Respite Tool</a> or <a href="http://www.eldercare.gov/Eldercare.NET/Public/Index.aspx">Eldercare Locator</a> where you can find professional help. Also check out this <a href="http://www.caring.com/articles/more-ways-to-arrange-breaks-from-caregiving">guide</a> from caring.com for more respite-care ideas.
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Find An Alternative Transportation Option
Does your loved one need transportation to go buy food or go shopping? There are numerous van and shuttle services specifically for seniors. Contact your local <a href="http://www.services4aging.org/index.asp">Area Agency On Aging</a> for one near you.
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Utilize Food Services
Don't have time to shop and cook? Consider a <a href="http://www.beetnikfoods.com/?gclid=CNm7hsXX27MCFQ-e4Aod3G8Axw">service</a> that will deliver gourmet meals to your home, no matter where you live. For low-income seniors in need, AssistGuide Information Services offers a <a href="http://www.agis.com/Eldercare-Basics/Support-Services/Food-and-Meal-Services/default.aspx#3">directory of food services available.
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Tap Financial Support
During the 2009 economic downturn, 1 in 5 family caregivers said their finances were so strained that they were forced to move into the same home with their aging loved ones to reduce expenses, <a href="http://www.caregiving.org/data/EVC_Caregivers_Economy_Report%20FINAL_4-28-09.pdf">according to a survey by caregiving.org</a>. Some 47 percent of working caregivers indicate that an increase in caregiving expenses caused them to use up all or most of their savings. The <a href="https://www.manystrong.com/">Many Strong Support Network</a> has a fundraising tool which allows other people to anonymously donate funds to people who are under financial strain.
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Contact A Caregiving Hotline
If ever you have a question about resources, or need support at a moment's notice, AARP's caregiving support line is available at 1-877-333-5885, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Senior care advisors for <a href="http://www.care.com/senior-care-planning">Care.com</a>, also provide free counseling for caregivers, and help them map out the best course of care for their loved ones.
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Join A Caregiver Co-Op
Organized caregiver co-ops can provide an affordable way to coordinate care for your loved ones. Check with local community centers or this <a href="http://www.caring.com/local/adult-day-care">Adult Day Care Directory</a> to see if someone in your area has already started one.
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Find Housekeeping Help
Care.com's <a href="http://www.care.com/senior-care-directory-find-p1071.html">Senior Care Directory</a> can set you up with a housekeeper, errand runner, pet sitter, or whatever you need to make the caregiving experience a little more manageable.
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Reach Out To A Hospital Social Worker
According to author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Medical-Day-Planner-Guide-Navigate/dp/1936608774">"The Medical Day Planner"</a>, Tory Zellick, hospital social workers are a great resource for all caregivers. "[Hospital social workers] are always armed with information for your community," said Zellick.
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Join A Caregiving Community
Websites like <a href="http://www.lotsahelpinghands.com/">Lotsahelpinghands</a> have caregiving communities that connect volunteers with caregivers in need of support or help.
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Use Family Gatherings To Have Important Conversations
Family gatherings offer a great opportunity to discuss the future of loved one you care for, says Dr. Bruce Chernof, president and CEO of The SCAN Foundation. The group offers a guide -- "<a href="http://www.thescanfoundation.org/sites/thescanfoundation.org/files/TSF_Ten_Conversations_English.pdf">10 Conversations To Plan For Aging With Dignity And Independence</a>" -- to lay the groundwork for these critical discussions.
Source: www.huffingtonpost.com
