How To Avoid Food Borne Illness in Seniors

Vancouver Senior Home Care  |  November 12, 2019

What Every Senior in Vancouver, BC, Needs to Know About Preventing Food Borne Illnesses

Do you know how to avoid food borne illness? It seems that every week we hear that someone ended up in a hospital due to food poisoning. Even in a world of increased safety and regulation, there is still a possibility that our food is contaminated with bacteria and parasites. Fish, dairy and chicken are foods that are most often involved in food poisoning outbreaks. Seniors are more prone to food borne illness but it is a threat no matter one’s age.

Seniors Are More Vulnerable to Food-Borne Illness

As we age our bodies inevitably change, starting with the immune system which gets weaker. Seniors are no longer able to fight illness as efficiently as they did when they were younger. In addition, the liver and kidneys cannot detoxify the body as well as they used to.

Meds also have something to do with this. Drugs used to treat conditions such as diabetes or heart disease can seriously affect the immune system and weaken it. Because of all these reasons, getting back on their feet after food poisoning is difficult for older adults. In fact, in senior years food poisoning can lead to hospitalization and even death.

Three Tips for Protecting Seniors Against Food-Borne Illness

However, there are some ways seniors can protect themselves against food poisoning.

Tip #1. At the Grocery Store:

An older adult should never buy a damaged packaging when it comes to food, and therefore should avoid cracked jars or dented cans.  Seniors should also place raw meat in a separate bag, so it doesn’t get in touch with other foods. Paying attention to the expiration date is also a must.

Tip #2. Food Handling and Preparation:

To avoid food poisoning, seniors should wash their hands every time before handling food and sanitize any surfaces where they will prepare their meals. Vegetables, bread, and cooked meats should not be cut on the same cutting board as raw meat. In addition, every food should be cooked safely. While ground beef is considered safe when cooked to 160 degrees Fahrenheit, chicken’s safe temperature is 165 degrees. When defrosting food, seniors should do it in the refrigerator, cold water or microwave, instead of leaving it out on the countertop.

Tip #3. When Eating Out:

Avoiding meals that contain uncooked ingredients is recommended. If there are any leftovers, they should be refrigerated within two hours of leaving the venue.

The Best Senior Home Care Provider in Vancouver, BC, is Comfort Keepers®

Many families prefer Comfort Keepers® when arranging senior home care services for a loved one in or around Vancouver, British Columbia. 

If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your aging loved ones, we can help with 24-hour care. Comfort Keepers Vancouver also provides home care services like respite care, overnight care, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia care, personal care, and more! 

Comfort Keepers® Vancouver Can Help with Companion Care and Interactive Caregiving™

Personal and empathetic care starts in the heart and allows us to meet our clients’ needs. Comfort Keeper’s philosophy is to elevate the human spirit, and our caregivers ensure your loved one experiences a better quality of life.

Trained caregivers help provide our senior clients with personal home care to help maintain the highest possible quality of life, keeping them happy and healthy at home. Our Interactive Caregiving™ delivers a system of care that addresses safety, nutrition, mind, body, and activities of daily living (ADLs).

Bring The Best Home Care Assistance for Seniors Right Where You Live with Comfort Keepers®

Comfort Keepers® Vancouver is proud to provide elder care in homes throughout Vancouver, keeping seniors safe in their homes. We provide home care for the seniors of Vancouver and the surrounding areas of Burnaby, Langley, Maple Ridge, and Richmond. Please call (604) 689-8609. 

Personal Care and Senior Homecare in Vancouver, BC

Learn more about our unique service, which offers personal care, companionship care, palliative care, and end-of-life care by contacting the Comfort Keepers® Vancouver office.

Accredited and Quality Respite Care Available 24/7 for British Columbia Families

Accreditation Canada has awarded Comfort Keepers® Vancouver with Exemplary Standing. This designation is only achieved after an organization’s policies, procedures, and processes undergo a thorough evaluation by industry experts to ensure they meet or exceed the stringent quality standards set by Accreditation Canada for Home Care companies.

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