Watch for these red flags that could indicate a problem with healthy eating for seniors.Parents’ love for their children knows no age limit. And parents of any age want to guard their children from troubles and concerns, which can lead to minimizing their own worries and concerns. And when families live in the Milwaukee area and you live at a distance, it can be difficult to evaluate how healthy your senior parents actually are.
One of the top areas of concern in aging is a decline in healthy eating for seniors. If you’re concerned that your senior loved ones may not be getting enough nutrition to remain healthy and well, the quick assessment below can help uncover possible red flags:
- Has the senior mentioned loss of appetite, digestive issues, or chewing or swallowing troubles? Has there been diminished food consumption over the past three months as a result of these problems?
- Has the older adult encountered weight loss over the past three months? Weight loss, specifically in individuals who have a less active lifestyle, can be a sign that the person is not eating properly.
- Does the older person have problems with mobility? Being confined to a bed or unable to go out can cause nutritional challenges like the inability to buy groceries or prepare meals.
- Has the older person suffered emotional stress or acute disease in the past three months?
- What is the older person’s body mass index (BMI)? A BMI of 18.5 or less may be an indicator that the senior is not eating enough, while a BMI of 30 or more can suggest obesity.
If you find through this assessment that a beloved senior might be struggling with nutritional issues, it’s always best to first check in with his or her physician. The Care Managers at Stowell Associates can also assist in ensuring healthy eating for seniors as well as any other in-home senior care needs, through a wide range of services that can include:
- A detailed care plan
- Meal preparation
- Transportation and accompaniment to doctors’ appointments
- Light housework
- Running errands
- Medication reminders
- And much more
After performing an in-depth assessment, our Care Managers will find solutions to any eating challenges, including:
- Discussing food preferences with clients who may not eat healthy fruits and vegetables
- Documenting food intake
- Developing specific approaches for caregivers to present food to the client as part of the Care Plan
- Developing and implementing a system to shop for appropriate food
- Developing and overseeing a system to ensure freshness and safety of food
- Arranging for companionship during meals and/or outings at meal times
- And more!
Our experts in home health in Milwaukee and the surrounding area are compassionate, fully trained, background screened and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, according to each senior’s individual needs and schedule. You can reach us at (414) 963-2600 to learn more. See our full Wisconsin home care service area here.
