Your dad’s doctor suspects he has sarcopenia. You’re not sure what that means or what happens next. Sarcopenia is a condition where muscle mass starts to diminish. As the muscle mass decreases, your dad’s gait changes. He may not want to be as active, and there is a higher chance of him falling. This can increase his fear, so he sits around more, which worsens his muscle strength. How concerned should you be? Here’s what you should know about this condition and how home care can help support your senior.
Ask About His Diet
Talk to your dad’s doctor about his dietary needs. Older adults don’t always get enough protein. If your dad is falling short of the 1.2 grams per day, per kilogram of body weight, it needs to change. If he weighs 200 pounds, he should aim for 240 grams (about half a pound) of protein per day.
Good sources of protein include eggs, cheese, yogurt, fish, tofu, dried beans, and lean meats like poultry. Make sure it’s in his meals and snacks. Adding protein to his diet is easier than you might think. Put albacore tuna on his salad and add chickpeas and fresh mozzarella pearls. That’s three protein sources at once.
When he’s looking for dessert, serve fresh apple slices with some chocolate hummus or yogurt. Bananas have more protein than an apple, so banana slices might be more appealing to him. Keep protein balls made with dates, oatmeal, cocoa powder, and almond butter available for him to snack on throughout the day.
See If He Can Work With a Physical Therapist
If the muscle weakness is affecting your dad’s mobility, ask his doctor for a referral to physical therapy. Your dad needs to gain strength and balance to avoid a fall. Once he’s started building his strength back up, he can go on longer walks around his neighborhood or on a treadmill.
Consider purchasing an exercise bike to strengthen his leg muscles from a seated position. He won’t have to stand for long. As he gains muscle strength, he can move on to other forms of exercise. Make sure that he does the exercises his physical therapist or doctor recommends. Don’t let him say it’s too hard and give up.
Have Someone Around to Support Him
Make sure your dad has the support he needs to age at home. He needs to stay mobile and should go on walks each day. He might be hesitant to walk by himself, but someone can walk with him. He’ll be more confident and walk farther when he has someone for support.
Talk to a home care provider about your dad’s muscle issues and what he’s able to do independently and where he needs help. You’ll learn more about the prices, schedules, and services during this conversation with a home care agency.
If you or an aging loved one is considering home care in Lockwood, MT, call the caring staff at SYNERGY Home Care of Billings today. 406-839-2390
