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, July 14, 2016

Preventing Burnout For Those In The Sandwich Generation

There comes a certain point in your life when your children still need your help, but so do your parents. This can put a lot of pressure on you and add extra stress to your life. Trust me, I know how you feel. In fact, I wrote a book about it.

July is National Sandwich Generation month, recognizing the efforts of caregivers everywhere. With the needs of your kids and your parents, it can be hard to find time for yourself or your spouse. I have put together a list of tips on how to take care of yourself while living life in the sandwich generation and help you prevent burn out.

First, divide up chores. Have the kids pitch in. Sure, there are certain things they can’t do, but you can have them take the dog for a walk or put away the dishes. If they’re older, have them help you with your parents. Have them take grandma to the doctor or go to the grocery store. This will make it so there is less on your plate.

Second, don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you have siblings ask them to help. Create a schedule. One week it will be your turn to help mom and dad with stuff around the house and the next week you can rotate. Also employ the help of trusted neighbors. Ask your parents neighbors to keep an eye on the house. If they notice something abnormal have them call you so you can go check on mom and dad. This way, if you don’t have time to stop over on a regular basis, you can still have the comfort of knowing they are safe.

Third, plan ahead. This way there are no surprises. If you know your kids have a baseball tournament out of town this weekend, make sure you help your parents out earlier in the week. If you know mom and dad need groceries, take them earlier in the week. Let your siblings know they are going to need to be available to help while you’re gone.

Fourth, be sure to make time for yourself. When you feel like you’re being pulled in a million different directions, it’s important to do something for yourself to relax. Treat yourself to a manicure and pedicure or hit the gym. This will help relieve some of the stress.

Life in the sandwich generation can be tough. But these tips will help prevent burn out.

Posted on Thursday, March 17, 2016

Self Care Readies You to Care for Loved Ones

There is a lot of advice these days about making time for self care. You can’t take care of others, if you don’t take care of yourself. This is especially true if your family is dealing with a difficult diagnosis.

If a loved one has a medical issue, we tend to drop everything, including self care, to focus on them. An ailing family member may require more attention, so it’s okay to shift priorities. It’s still important, however, to make time for self care, because we need to be at our best energy level to be helpful to others.

When I was in the hospital all day every day with my daughter, the doctor reminded me that grandmas can step in. With a gentle nudge I let my parents take over for a bit so I could go home and shower.

Self care doesn’t require large blocks of time. Although you may find taking a day to yourself blissful, it can be as simple as a 15-minute phone call with a good friend, a walk around the neighborhood, reading a chapter in a book, or having time to shower and brush your hair. The point is to find something that makes you feel human again, that restores your energy so you are once again ready to care for your loved one.

Don’t stop caring for yourself just because you are caring for your family.

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What can you do in the name of self care today?

You can learn more about self care during a difficult diagnosis in my newest offering When Life Happens: What to do about unexpected health concerns. This workbook filled with information, tips, and tricks for getting through accidents, difficult diagnoses, rehabilitation, and what to do with the kids through it all. But it also has activities to guide you through your situation. You can find it here.