Parents’ love for their children is ageless. And parents of any age want to protect their children from worries and concerns, which often leads to covering up their own worries and concerns. And when family lives at a distance, it can be hard to gauge how healthy senior parents actually are.
One of the top areas of concern in aging is a decline in dietary habits, as we discussed in our last blog post. If you’re unsure that your senior loved ones are receiving adequate nutrition to remain healthy, the following quick assessment can help identify potential red flags:
- Has the senior complained of loss of appetite, digestive problems, or chewing or swallowing difficulties? Has there been decreased food intake over the past 3 months due to these complaints?
- Has the senior experienced weight loss during the last 3 months? Weight loss, particularly in those who are not active, can be an indication that the person is not eating properly.
- Does the senior have mobility issues? Being bedbound or unable to go outside can cause nutritional challenges like inability to buy groceries or prepare meals.
- Has the senior suffered psychological stress or acute disease in the past 3 months?
- What is the senior’s body mass index (BMI)? A BMI of 18.5 or less may be a sign that the person is not eating enough, while a BMI of 30 or more can indicate obesity.
If you discover through this assessment that a beloved senior may be struggling with dietary issues, it’s always best to first check in with his or her doctor. Hillendale Home Care can also help with nutritional concerns and any other in-home senior care needs, through a full range of services that can include:
- Meal preparation
- Transportation and accompaniment to doctors’ appointments
- Light housekeeping
- Running errands
- Medication reminders
- And much more
Our expert California senior care team is compassionate, fully trained, background screened and available 24/7, according to each senior’s particular needs and schedule. Call us at 925-933-8181 to learn more.
