Malnutrition happens when your body does not acquire the right vitamins and minerals. One of the age groups that is greatly affected by malnutrition is people ages 65 and older. We all are very much aware of the debilitating capabilities of aging and hence, the increase of nutritional requirements.
Comfort Care Home Health Care in Stony Island Chicago Illinois brings to you today on how the older demographic catches malnutrition that you might have even taken for granted along the way. Your elderly loved ones might not be able to detect the signs and issues of malnutrition but we are here to help.
- Restricted diets
As we age, we go through these changes in our physical body including the amount of food we take. For older people, it is very common to have weaker senses of taste and smell; thus, reducing the reinforcement of them to eat. These are only a few of the physical changes.
On the other hand, their nutritional requirements increase over time. They need more vitamins and minerals for their bodies to function properly. Hence, certain restrictions of their food intake can reduce the nutrients they need in the body.
- Health problems
Age-related health problems often impede the ability of a person to eat properly. Metabolic problems, vision and taste loss, mood problems, hunger and thirst issues, and other have been known to affect older people rapidly and greatly.
Older people also have severe health problems that require medications which disable the body to absorb the vitamins and minerals from the food they take; hence, lesser nourishments for their body. You can ask your doctor if their medicines could possibly affect their appetite.
- Less social interaction
Older people are often faced with different social changes such as losing friends and spouse due to disease or death. Physical disabilities also discourage them from mingling with other people and this could lead to an unmotivated day ahead of them. Cognitive functions restrict as well that might discourage other people from talking to them from time to time.
These changes in their lives might come off depressing and might dishearten them to eat the right amount of food. The possible depression that they might meet along the way can worsen their situation too. This is why having a regular companion at home can improve their lifestyle.
Speaking of lifestyle, your elders need proper guidance and watch for their health is at stake. Here’s what you need to do to prevent malnutrition of your elderly loved ones:
- Monitor their eating lifestyle
Develop an eating plan that should be achieved as much as possible so that they could get the right vitamins and minerals for their body. They need to eat the right foods for their body. Ask your healthcare provider of in-home care services to properly manage the meals of your elderly loved ones.
- Check their weight
As family members, you would know if they are eating well through their weight. Check their weight every now and then and if they have been losing weight, it means there is a problem of which can root from several problems such as drug interactions, elder abuse, and so on. It is very important that your elderly loved ones have the right nutrition to help their bodies keep up with the nutritional requirements it imposes on itself.
- Know their medications
Speaking of medications, it is very important that your elderly loved ones know their medications. This is to let them realize what their medications are doing to their bodies. But if your elderly loved ones are cognitively or physically impaired to take the medications on their own, get an in-home companion for proper medication management.
- Work with a healthcare team
The healthcare team right for your elderly loved ones’ health comprised of specialists for your elderly loved ones’ condition; primary care physician, pharmacists, an in-home caregiver, active family and members, and your elderly loved ones are part of the plan for overall recovery. These aspects should work as smoothly as possible in order to carry out an effective plan for your elderly loved ones.
For more information and assistance, call Comfort Care Home Health Care in Stony Island Chicago Illinois today!
Disclaimer
Blogs, content and other media uploaded online are for informational purposes only. Contents on this website should not be considered medical advice. Readers are strongly encouraged to visit their physician for health-related issues.
