Malnutrition is a serious health issue that affects the senior population. Malnutrition and unintentional weight loss in seniors can cause significant declines in health, resulting in:
- A weakened immune system, which increases the risk of infection.
- Muscle weakness and decreased bone mass, which increases the risk of falls.
- An increased risk of hospitalization, as well as an increased risk of death.
Are you concerned that your senior parent may be malnourished? Mayo Clinic reports that the causes of malnutrition are varied, often resulting from a combination of physical, social, and psychological issues. Health issues related to malnutrition include:
- Age-related changes.Changes in taste, smell, and appetite generally decline as your senior parent ages, making it more difficult for them to enjoy food.
- Disease-related inflammation and illnesses can contribute to declines in appetite and changes in how the body processes food.
- Impairment in ability to eat.Difficulty chewing or swallowing, poor dental health, or limited ability in handling tableware can contribute to malnutrition and unintentional weight loss.
- Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.Behavioral or memory problems from Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia can result in forgetting to eat, not buying groceries, or forgetting how to prepare meals.
- Some medications can affect appetite or the ability to absorb nutrients.
- Limited income.Older adults may have trouble affording groceries or healthy foods, especially if they’re taking expensive medications.
- Older adults who eat alone may lose interest in cooking and eating.
- Grief, loneliness, failing health, lack of mobility, and other factors might contribute to depression, which can also contribute to loss of appetite.
- Too much alcohol can interfere with the digestion and absorption of nutrients. Misuse of alcohol may result in poor eating habits.
Is your senior parent experiencing muscle weakness, increased illness, or unintentional weight loss? If so, your aging parent may need assistance with monitoring and increasing their nutritional health. If you’re unable to identify the causes of your senior parent’s malnutrition, weight loss, increased doctor’s visits, and other health issues, call SYNERGY HomeCare of Corona, Riverside, or Anaheim Hills. SYNERGY HomeCare’s highly skilled, trained, and compassionate in-home caregivers can help you and your senior parent take the necessary steps to monitor their nutritional health and weight loss and identify the various risk factors of malnutrition. SYNERGY HomeCare’s in-home caregivers can help to follow these Mayo Clinic tips to ensure that your senior parent lives a healthy, independent lifestyle:
Monitor weight. SYNERGY’s in-home caregivers will help your senior parent monitor their weight at home and keep a weekly record, if requested by their doctor.
Observe habits. SYNERGY’s in-home caregivers can observe your senior parent’s eating and drinking habits throughout the day and document what kinds of food are eaten and how much.
Keep track of medications. SYNERGY’s in-home caregivers are trained to assist with medication management. Our in-home caregivers can help your senior parent keep a record of all medications, the reason for each medication, dosages, treatment schedules, and possible side effects.
Help with meal plans. SYNERGY’s in-home caregivers can help plan healthy meals, prepare a shopping list, go grocery shopping, and prepare healthy meals for your senior parent.
Encourage light exercise. Daily exercise and movement can stimulate appetite and strengthen bones and muscles. SYNERGY’s in-home caregivers can accompany your senior parent on walks and encourage other forms of light exercise.
About SYNERGY HomeCare of Anaheim Hills
SYNERGY HomeCare of Anaheim Hills is the name you can trust in Anaheim, Anaheim Hills, Yorba Linda, Tustin, Santa Ana, Orange and Placentia for personal home care. SYNERGY HomeCare of Anaheim Hills is part of a national franchise of non-medical home care offices dedicated to providing exceptional and affordable service to anyone of any age. SYNERGY HomeCare caregivers are available 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, to those in need – including seniors, expectant moms, those suffering from sports injuries and debilitating illnesses, and more. SYNERGY HomeCare of Corona & Riverside can be found online at http://www.synergyhomecare.com/agencies/ca/anaheim-hills/ca25 . The location also hosts active social media pages on Facebook and Twitter. Ken and Anna can be reached at 714- 706-1613 and [email protected] .
