How To Prevent Malnutrition Of Elderly People As Primary Caregiver
Nutrition is an essential part of healthy aging. Suppose you care for elderly parents or work as a caregiver for the elderly. In that case, you should provide them with a balanced diet that is high in vitamins, proteins, minerals, healthy fats and other vital nutrients.
But as we can see, malnutrition is a complex health problem. Therefore, we look at the importance of nutritious food, malnutrition causes, and the identification of malnutrition before it worsens and the prevention of malnutrition.
Importance of Nutrition
Malnutrition can make the elderly more vulnerable to disease and accident. As per Mayo Clinic, malnutrition can cause the following problems:
- Slow wound healing.
- Weak Immune System.
- Decreased bone mass or muscle weakness.
- Decreased cognition.
These health problems increase the risk of hospitalization and death, so it is vital to deal with malnutrition before a serious incident occurs.
Causes of Malnutrition
There are many causes of malnutrition – often more than one. By knowing why, you can develop a plan to give your loved ones a suitable diet.
Socioeconomic Factors
As mentioned by Market Watch , half of the people over the age of 65 earn less than $20,000 a year. Fresh produce, seafood, and other healthy foods are more expensive than canned food, which is more processed and does not contain the necessary nutrients. Thus, elderly people may sacrifice nutritious foods that can lead to malnutrition.
Medication and Illness
Different health problems can affect a person’s ability to eat. Let’s say you have dementia, limited mobility, poor dental health or other malnutrition. In this case, you may need to consult a doctor or dietitian to prepare a meal plan.
The same goes for some treatments and medications. Some medicines can affect your diet or even your body’s ability to absorb nutrients. If your loved one has cancer and is on chemotherapy, they may not eat much due to side effects such as nausea.
Safe Hand’s HHC can help you manage nutrition.
We know that being the primary caregiver for the elderly takes a lot of time and effort, and you may need extra assistance. Because nutritious food is essential for the health of the elderly, by Safe Hands home care service includes healthy meals to ensure our clients receive proper nutrition. If you need assistance, please contact us for more information on our compassionate service.
For More assistance Visit: safehandshhc.com
