The love of a mother for her children knows no age limits. And parents of all ages desire above all to shield their children from trouble, which sometimes can mean concealing their own worries. Moreover, when loved ones live far away, it can be hard to really know for sure just how healthy elderly parents are. In particular, nutrition for older adults is an important component of health that shouldn’t be overlooked.
One of the top challenges of growing older is the decline in meeting nutritional requirements. If you suspect your aging loved ones might not be getting the nutrients they need to remain healthy and well, the following simple assessment can help detect potential warning signs:
- Has the older person mentioned a loss of appetite, concerns with digestion, or chewing or swallowing challenges? Has there been a reduction in food consumption over the past several months due to this?
- Has the older person experienced a loss of weight over the last several months? Losing weight, especially for individuals with a more inactive way of life, can signify that the person is not eating adequately.
- Does the senior have a problem with mobility? Being confined to the home can cause nutritional problems, as it is more difficult to get groceries or fix meals.
- Has the older adult been under psychological stress or struggled with an acute disease or depression in the past few months?
- What is your senior loved one’s body mass index (BMI)? A BMI of 18.5 or less may signify that the person is not eating enough, while a BMI of 30 or higher can signify obesity.
If you find out through answering these questions that a senior you love might not be receiving optimum nutrition, it’s a good idea to consult with his or her primary care physician. Golden Harmony can also help improve health and wellbeing for older adults through services such as:
- Preparing meals
- Transportation to doctor appointments
- Light household chores
- Running errands
- Medication reminders
- And others
Our expert providers of at-home senior care in Raleigh, NC and the surrounding areas are compassionate, background checked and available for as much or as little care as desired. You can contact us online or call our care team at 919-426-7522 to learn more.