Posted on Monday, August 22, 2016

Malnutrition in Senior Citizens

As people age, a lot of things change, especially when it comes to their appetite. Their metabolism slows, their taste buds change and their ability to cook for themselves decreases. All of these changes can be detrimental to one’s physical health.

Yesterday was Senior Citizen’s Day. While we celebrate the amazing seniors in our life, it’s time to discuss something that is all too real in the elderly community: malnutrition. Today, we are going to discuss the signs of malnutrition in seniors, possible causes and what you can do to be sure your senior is healthy.

It’s very important to be able to recognize the signs of malnutrition in seniors.

First, next time you’re at their house, check their cupboards and refrigerator. Do they have enough food in there? Is the food they have healthy? Or are they living off packaged and processed foods? Granted, sometimes getting seniors to eat junk food is better than not eating at all. It is important, however, that they are eating a well-balanced diet. If their fridge and pantry aren’t properly stocked, it’s time to go to the grocery store and pick up some healthy food and snacks for them. Also, make arrangements to get them to the store on a weekly basis. This way they don’t have to feel burdensome and will always have fresh food in the house.

Second, monitor their weight. Senior citizens can thin, but if they suddenly look gaunt or thinner than usual, it could be a sign they are not eating properly. Because seniors don’t tend to eat a lot, their meals need to be packed with protein and good fats to give their body’s the nutrients they need. If their diet is lacking in healthy fats and protein, they will lose weight rapidly.

Third, know the side effects of the prescription medication they take. Maybe weight loss or loss of appetite is a side effect. If it is, and it’s causing a problem for your loved one’s health, it may be time to look at a new drug or get them off of it completely. Seniors are often on a lot of medication, so it’s important to know the side effects of all of them.

So, what are some of the causes of malnutrition in the elderly?

Sadly, one of the main causes of malnutrition in senior citizens is poverty. Seniors are often on an extremely fixed income and are too proud to ask for help. Therefore, they are forced to let their nutritional health suffer. Or, they simply may not have a means of getting groceries. A lot of seniors don’t drive, and food spoils quickly. So they may be unable to get to the store on a weekly basis to get milk, bread and fruit. Therefore, they must rely on food that is less perishable and processed, which, in turn, is less healthy.

Another cause of malnutrition in seniors is related to a loss of appetite. As people age, their taste buds change. Mix this with the fact that a lot of medications decrease one’s appetite and it’s a recipe for disaster. You will often see seniors push food around on their plate or barely eat at all. If they’re not eating, they can’t get the proper nutrients their body needs.

Also, eating has a very social component. Sadly, most seniors live alone and they see no sense in cooking for themselves. Sometimes the loneliness can be enough to cause a decrease in appetite. Or they simply no longer care to cook. It’s too much work and hassle to cook for themselves.

What can you do the ensure your senior is healthy?

First, consider supplementation if necessary. Talk to your loved one’s doctor about adding a multivitamin to their diet. This way you know they are at least getting the nutrients their body needs, even if their appetite is lacking.

Second, schedule a home meal delivery service like Meals On Wheels. This way they will have hot, nutritious food delivered right to their door daily. This will prevent them getting burned out from eating the same food all the time. It will also eliminate the need to cook and go to the grocery store.

Third, keep in mind that dehydration can be just as devastating as malnutrition. Have your senior incorporate food with a high water content in to their diet. Some foods that are high in water are cucumbers, tomatoes and beets.

If you still feel as though your loved one isn’t properly caring for themselves at home it may be time to considering getting them in to an assisted living. To learn more about assisted livings you can check out my book Choosing an Assisted Living Facility. I hope you found these tips helpful to care for your loved ones in the best way possible.

For more healthcare tips for you and your family, check out my workbook for dealing with caring for your children, as well as your aging parents: Life in the Sandwich Generation. Life in the Sandwich Generation is a workbook filled with information, tips and tricks for managing the demands needing to care for your aging parents, as well as taking care of your children. It details how you can involve your children in the process, how to learn more about your parents health and finances, while still making time for yourself and your spouse. You can find it here for only $10!

Posted on Thursday, August 18, 2016

Signs and Symptoms of Autism

All children develop at different rates. Some are walking and talking before their first birthday, while others seem to lag behind their peers. It’s normal for it to take time for your child to start forming sentences or identifying shapes and colors. But when should their developmental delay become a concern? Sometimes, the delay could be something more severe, such as autism. Autism is a mental condition where a child has difficulty communicating and interacting with others. Often times children with autism have slowed development or exhibit odd behaviors. Today, we’re going to discuss the signs and symptoms of autism.

First, they don’t respond to their name. Children should begin to respond to their name around 9 months of age. If you start to notice that your child is unresponsive when you call their name, mention it to their doctor. It could be a sign of a more serious issue.

Second, they dislike physical contact of any sort by anyone. Most children with autism don’t like to be touched. Even the slightest hug can throw them over the edge. It’s normal for a kid to be resistant to being touched by a stranger, but if they have a problem with physical contact with grandma or grandpa this should be a cause for concern.

Third, they have delayed speech or motor skills. You don’t need to be alarmed if your child isn’t talking up a storm by their first birthday; but, by the time they turn two, they should at least be saying a few simple words. You may also notice that they are very uncoordinated. Kids with autism usually have poor balance and coordination.

Fourth, you may notice odd, repetitive behaviors. Children with autism often repeat words or phrases. This is called echolalia. You also may have noticed that kids with autism have a tendency to rock back and forth. This is a typical repetitive behavior of children on the autism spectrum.

Fifth, they freak out or throw a tantrum when their routine gets changed. Most kids are able to go with the flow; however, kids with autism thrive on routine. If you notice they get upset at the thought of a changes in plans this may be a red flag.

Sixth, they avoid eye contact. There’s a difference between a kid who is shy and a kid who does not make eye contact. Children with autism are oftentimes in their own little world, so they aren’t fully engaged when they are speaking with you. Also, the thought of making eye contact can be very stressful for someone with autism.

Seventh, they play in an unusual manor. Children with autism typically don’t play pretend. They don’t play cops and robbers like most little kids do. They also like to line their toys up. Obviously this may be appropriate in some cases — for instance, if they’re playing with trains. But if you notice they line up their blocks every time they play with them, this may be a sign that something more serious is going on. Also, children with autism have a tendency to be highly organized. Keep this in mind when looking for signs and symptoms of autism.

If you notice any of these symptoms you should schedule an appointment for your child to see the doctor. The sooner these signs and symptoms are recognized the sooner you can get them the help they need.

Posted on Monday, August 15, 2016

6 Benefits of Farmers’ Markets

One of my favorite things to do in the summertime on a Saturday is to head down to the Eastern Market in Detroit with my girls. The market is filled with fresh produce and great values. Shopping local has a lot of benefits for your health and your pocket. Today, we will discuss six reasons why you should be shopping at the local farmer’s market

1. You’re supporting local farmers and the community.
Sadly, farming is becoming a thing of the past. Shopping local and buying from within the community helps to stimulate the economy. When the middle man — for example, a grocery store — is eliminated, it allows for a higher profit for the farmer. This also means it can be more affordable for the consumer. You would be pleasantly surprised to see how much produce you can get for cheap!

2. The produce is may be organic and not genetically modified.
Some farmers don’t use pesticides, which are harmful to your health. The soil that organic farmers use is higher quality and better for the environment. Also, the seeds they use to grow the produce are generally non-GMO. Also, keep in mind what grocery stores charge for organic produce. At an organic farmer’s market, you are getting fresh produce at an extremely inexpensive price.

3. The food is full of nutrients.
Have you ever noticed that the fruits and vegetables at the farmer’s market always look vibrant and delicious? The pigments found in produce is based off of the nutrients it contains. For example, vegetables that are bright orange in color, such as carrots, are high in carotenoids. The brighter the color the higher the concentration.

4. Everything is fresh.
Typically, the farmers pick the fruit in the morning before heading to the market. This way you are getting the freshest produce possible. The fruits and veggies that you find at the grocery store often sit there for days or weeks and some constantly get pushed to the bottom of the barrel. I once read that some apples found in the grocery store can be over a year old! Not only is the produce fresh but it’s perfectly ripe. It is picked at the optimal time when the sugars are at their peak. And since the produce is super fresh the favors are unbelievable.

5. They offer a wide variety of fruits and veggies.
It seems like every time I’m at the market I’m introduced to a new type of food or a new flavor. A lot of farmer’s grow things such as rhubarb and a range of different apples. Trying new foods can be fun and keeps you from getting bored when eating healthy.

6. You know where your food came from.
From farm to table, nothing in between. When you buy produce at the grocery store, no one really knows all of the places it stops along the way. Also, the more places it goes the more it changes hands is touched by people.

There are so many reasons to love farmer’s markets. They provide a wide variety of fresh, local produce at great prices. And going to the market is a fun social outing. Also keep in mind, farmer’s markets don’t only have fruits and vegetables. It’s a great place to pick up delicious pies and homemade jams. So grab some girlfriends and head to the market this weekend!