Posts in category: Seniors and Nutrition

Dietary needs evolve as people age, and seniors need to know how to manage those changes to maintain physical health and wellness. Older adults need to take an active role in shaping their diet and nutrition habits to ensure more energy, better disease prevention and quality of life.

One in three hospital patients is malnourished upon admission and 45% of Canadians admitted to hospital for more than 2 days suffer from malnutrition.

Seniors should consult their physician to discuss their individual needs. Healthcare professionals can also help seniors and their families create and implement healthy eating plans.

These plans often include:

• Increased protein and fiber intake. Protein and fiber are important nutrients for seniors. Foods high in fiber can help maintain healthy digestive systems as we age, and increasing protein intake can help seniors increase or maintain energy and strength.
• Whole grains have multiple benefits. Whole grains are also fiber-rich foods that not only aid the digestive process but promote healthy hearts for seniors. Cereal, rice and bread made with whole grains can easily be found at any grocery store and provide several serving choices to meet recommended daily requirements.
• Calcium is a key component in maintaining bone strength. Calcium can help prevent osteoporosis, especially when calcium intake is consistent. Preventing osteoporosis is critical for seniors – especially those that are at risk for falls.
• Hydration is critical at any age. Physical changes that occur with age make hydration even more important for older adults. For those that are less inclined to drink water, there are alternatives – milk, juice and broth are all hydrating liquids, and there are hydrating foods including watermelon, cucumbers and grapes.

If engaging in good eating habits is a struggle, there are steps seniors can take to ensure that they are getting proper nutrition. In addition to consulting a physician about diet or health concerns they might have, they can also try the following tactics to get back on the right track:

• Make meals a social occasion– Sharing a meal is one of the most enjoyable ways to ensure that someone is eating well. This can include making something healthy and delicious for others, or reaching out to people that love to cook healthy food and offering them some company at meal times.
• Make healthy eating fit your budget– Good food doesn’t have to be expensive. A doctor or nutritionist can point patients to budget friendly, nutritious food options. And, maintaining a healthy lifestyle saves money on medical care in the future.
• Shop for healthy foods– Having a kitchen stocked with healthy snacks and meal options is one of the most important steps to maintaining a balanced diet.
• Encourage people to ask for help– If someone has concerns about their ability to plan healthy meals, shop for the groceries or if they just aren’t getting the nutrition they need, tell them to ask for help! In-home caregivers, delivery services, family, friends and medical professionals can all help older adults reach their nutrition goals.

Comfort Keepers^®Can Help

If someone is struggling to maintain healthy eating habits, consider getting support from the trusted care team at Comfort Keepers^®. Our caregivers can help with grocery shopping, meal preparation, and can help support physician-prescribed exercise regimens and diets. Our goal is to see that clients have the means to find the joy and happiness in each day, regardless of age or acuity.

To learn more about our in-home care services, contact your local Comfort Keepers location today.

References

Canadian Malnutrition Task Force.  “Nutrition Care in Canadian Hospitals Study.”   Web 2019.

Mayo Clinic. “Senior health: How to prevent and detect malnutrition.” Web. 2017.

Next Avenue, “Malnutrition is Affecting Too Many Older Adults.” Web. 2016.

Public Health Post. “Malnutrition in Older Adults.” Web. 2017
Healthline. “How Your Nutritional Needs Change as you Age.” Web. 2017.

A Growing Problem

It seems that there is a new recall on produce, poultry, dairy, or fish almost every week – not to mention reports of illness or hospitalization from contaminated food in restaurants. The threat of bacteria and parasites contaminating our food remains constant, even in a world of increased safety and regulation. And with that threat comes the possibility of foodborne illness, which, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), affects nearly 48 million people across North America every year.

A new report from the CDC shows the foods most often implicated in outbreaks are:

• Fish (17%)
• Dairy (11%)
• Chicken (10%)

Although foodborne illness is concerning at any age, seniors are often at greater risk of contracting it, and it can take them much longer to recover. Let’s look at why the effects of foodborne illness are more drastic for seniors.

Why Seniors Are More Vulnerable

There are numerous changes that occur in the body as we age, but one of the most significant is the weakening of our immune system. The body’s natural defense system simply is no longer able to fight illness as efficiently as before. To make matters worse, the liver and kidneys have a harder time ridding the body of toxins. Additionally, the stomach secretes less of the acid needed to help break down pathogens ingested with food and water.

Prescription medication also plays a role. Most medications used to help treat chronic conditions such as diabetes or heart disease have side effects that further weaken the immune system. Because of these factors, bouncing back from any kind of food poisoning becomes increasingly difficult the older we get. For seniors, that often means an increased risk of hospitalization or death.

Tips for Protecting Against Foodborne Illness
It’s vital that seniors are armed with the right information so that they don’t risk their health and wellbeing. Below are a few of the recommended tips from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that senior clients can begin to incorporate into their daily lives.

• At the Grocery Store
  • Don’t purchase any dented cans or cracked jars. If the packaging looks as if it’s been damaged in any way, or if it’s leaking, find and purchase a non-damaged one instead.
  • Similarly, don’t purchase produce that looks bruised or damaged.
  • Place any raw meat, seafood, or poultry in a separate plastic bag so that juices don’t drip onto other food in the cart.
  • Pay particularly close attention to the product dating (e.g., sell-by, use-by, and best if used by).
• Food Handling and Preparation
  • Wash hands thoroughly with warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds prior to handling food.
  • Sanitize any surfaces that may come into contact with food during preparation.
  • Thoroughly wash any produce (fruits and vegetables) with tap water.
  • Avoid cross-contamination (bacteria spreading from one food to another) by separating raw meat, poultry, and seafood from other foods being prepared. Consider having a separate cutting board for any raw foods and another for vegetables, bread, or cooked meats.
  • Check the internal temperature of cooked food with a food thermometer to ensure that it is cooked safely – and do not rely solely on the color of the food. Most meats have a specific safe temperature associated with them. For instance, ground beef is considered safe when cooked to 160 degrees Fahrenheit, while chicken’s safe temperature is 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • While on the subject of temperature, be sure that your refrigerator temperature is always at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Refrigerate all perishable foods within two hours of cooking.
  • Food should only be thawed in the refrigerator, cold water, or microwave. Never leave it out on the countertop to thaw.
• When Eating Out
  • Whenever possible, avoid foods that have any uncooked ingredients. These are usually marked as such on the menu, but when in doubt, ask the waiter or waitress.
  • If the food looks like it hasn’t been properly cooked, ask to have it sent back.
  • Refrigerate any leftovers within two hours of leaving the restaurant – or one hour if the air temperature is at or above 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

Comfort Keepers^® Can Help

Nutrition is a key component of senior health and wellbeing, and the last thing both seniors and family caregivers want to worry about is that food has been compromised somehow. At Comfort Keepers^®, we understand the impact that foodborne illness can have on older adults and the importance of safe food handling and preparation. Our caregivers can provide extra support for family caregivers and ensure that their loved ones’ food is as safe to eat as possible. Contact a local Comfort Keepers office near you to learn more about what else we can do to enhance quality of life for seniors and other adult clients.

References:

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “Food Safety for Older Adults.” Web. 2018.

FoodSafety.gov. “Older Adults and Food Safety” by Howard Seltzer (FDA). Web. 2015.

Self.com. “These are the Foods that Cause the Most Illnesses, the CDC says” by Korin Miller. Web. 2018.

An Unsung Hero

The liver is one of the body’s true powerhouses – an organ that performs a staggering number of important functions simultaneously. Not only does it convert nutrients into bile, a substance that helps with the digestion process, it also produces amino acids that play a key role in fighting infections. The list goes on and on when it comes to the liver. And while we certainly count on it to maintain homeostasis throughout life, its health and functionality is especially vital as we get older, when the threat of liver failure becomes greater.

The Threats

There are more than one hundred known liver diseases, many of which can lead to liver failure, robbing the body of essential functions that keep it healthy. One of the most common causes of liver failure is alcohol abuse. Alcohol abuse often leads to cirrhosis, a condition that sees the liver becoming scarred and deteriorated, ultimately leading to the loss of functioning cells. The overuse of painkillers, specifically acetaminophen, and certain prescription medications can also damage the liver and lead to a condition known as liver necrosis.

One of the other major causes of liver failure is viral hepatitis, a disease that has a number of forms. Hepatitis C, in particular, is quite dangerous and can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer if untreated. Unfortunately, most people with Hepatitis C don’t know that they’re actually infected as it can take years for symptoms to manifest. However, once detected, Hepatitis C is treatable, but it does become more difficult to fight with age. That’s why screening as early as possible is vital, especially for baby boomers (those born from 1945 to 1965). It’s believed that the transmission of Hepatitis C was highest around this time because many of the infection control procedures seen in the healthcare industry today were simply not around.

Ways to Protect the Liver

There’s no doubt that the liver is one of the hardest working organs in the human body and a tough one at that. In fact, it’s the only organ that has the ability to fully regenerate itself after surgery or injury. It’s certainly not invincible though, and as we age it’s important to take the right steps to protect the liver from the known threats. Below are a few tips that seniors can follow to help protect their livers:

• Limit alcohol consumption, or don’t drink at all.
• Take acetaminophen in moderation (most medical experts recommend no more than 3,250 mg/day) and talk to your physician about the risk of current medications.
• Research and consult with a physician before taking any supplements.
• Ensure you are eating a balanced diet, complete with whole grains, vegetables, lean protein, and healthy fats.
• Get tested for viral hepatitis, especially if you were born between 1945 and 1965.
• Take caution when using cleaning products, as many of the active agents are known to damage the liver.
• Incorporate coffee into your diet. Recent studies show that drinking coffee may help in preventing liver disease.

Managing Alcohol

While all of the tips listed are important for maintaining the health of the liver, the management of alcohol remains central. Alcohol abuse is common in seniors, often serving as a way to cope with the hardships associated with aging, such as death of friends/family, physical pain, and isolation. And it can occur without anybody ever knowing. Click here to learn more about the effects of alcohol on seniors and how to identify when there’s a problem. Understanding the dangerous potential of alcohol will help seniors not only reduce their risk of liver problems, but also brain damage, cancer, and even immune system disorders.

Comfort Keepers^® Can Help

At Comfort Keepers^®, we understand just how important it is to stay healthy as we age, and that seniors may have a hard time adapting to the ways in which their bodies adapt to age. Our team of caring professionals can help seniors make healthier choices, conducive to liver protection, and provide them with the support they need to life a healthy lifestyle. Our goal is to ensure that aging adults preserve their safety, independence, and positive wellbeing. Contact your local Comfort Keepers today to learn more about our services.

References:

Medicine Net. “Liver Disease” by Benjamin Wedro. Web. 2018.

Consumer Reports. “How to Keep Your Liver Healthy” by Janet Lee. Web. 2017.

WebMD. “How Not to Wreck Your Liver” by Suz Redfearn. Web. 2018.

Canadian Liver Foundation. “Hepatitis C.”  Web. 2017.