Fighting Seniors' Malnutrition
More than half of all seniors cared for at home suffer from undernutrition or malnutrition (up to 85% in institutions).
Why is it: too little food, poor appetite, or digestion problems? Yes, all these, but there's more.
For instance, older single adults often don't cook for themselves and nutrient-poor diet leads to the loss of muscles and strength, weakens the immune system, increasing the risk of pneumonia and other infections, even to mental confusion that changes behavior thus creating a vicious circle.
Check what your elderly relatives eat. Spend time with them during their normal meals at home. Ask whether their wounds heal poorly, and if their legs and arms easily bruise. Ask their doctor to order some blood tests that can help identify chronic malnutrition (serum albumin, prealbumin or retinol binding protein levels).
Poor appetite often can be managed by making meals more like snacks, but making more of them throughout the day. Keep snacks readily available so that you can eat when you're up to it. Have your favorite vegetable ready in bite-size (baby carrots, sliced apples sprinkled with some lemon juice and cinnamon,string cheese, ice cream, nuts, peanut butter with whole wheat crackers, cottage cheese, etc.) These are examples of nutritious foods that require little or no preparation.
Why is it: too little food, poor appetite, or digestion problems? Yes, all these, but there's more.
For instance, older single adults often don't cook for themselves and nutrient-poor diet leads to the loss of muscles and strength, weakens the immune system, increasing the risk of pneumonia and other infections, even to mental confusion that changes behavior thus creating a vicious circle.
Check what your elderly relatives eat. Spend time with them during their normal meals at home. Ask whether their wounds heal poorly, and if their legs and arms easily bruise. Ask their doctor to order some blood tests that can help identify chronic malnutrition (serum albumin, prealbumin or retinol binding protein levels).
Poor appetite often can be managed by making meals more like snacks, but making more of them throughout the day. Keep snacks readily available so that you can eat when you're up to it. Have your favorite vegetable ready in bite-size (baby carrots, sliced apples sprinkled with some lemon juice and cinnamon,string cheese, ice cream, nuts, peanut butter with whole wheat crackers, cottage cheese, etc.) These are examples of nutritious foods that require little or no preparation.
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