It can be difficult for a family caregiver to detect malnutrition in their senior loved one and may not provide appropriate help. However, finding the root cause of malnutrition among seniors can mitigate health complications in seniors. If family caregivers want to detect malnutrition among seniors, here are a few simple ways to try.
Monitor Your Loved One’s Dietary Habits
Family caregivers should try to spend some time with their elderly loved ones often and eat dinner or lunch with him or her. If your senior loved one live alone at home, ask him or her who buys meal or groceries for him or her. Talk to your elderly loved one often, so he or she feels encouraged to eat nutritious foods. Visit seniors if they are hospitalized for long-term care and discuss many things over lunch or dinner.
Be Wary of Weight Loss
Watch out for sudden weight loss in your senior loved one and observe other signs of malnutrition. Seniors who are unable to take care of their physical health on their own can receive much-needed help by hiring a Boynton Beach home care expert. If seniors are looking too thin or their clothes don’t fit anymore, then they may be on the verge of malnutrition or other related problems.
Other Alarming Signs
Besides weight loss, there are several other issues that may lead to malnutrition in seniors. Oral problems and poor wound healing can be a few difficulties seniors face, which allows them to drop weight instantly. This may lead to body weakness and results in frequent falls inside or outside the house.
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Know a Senior’s Medications
Certain types of medications can trigger loss of appetite among seniors leading to malnutrition. Seniors might be consuming meditations or drugs for different reasons. This may cause turmoil in the body and make seniors prone to other health risks.
What to Do about Malnutrition
Small changes in the daily diet can create a major difference in a senior’s health and mental well-being. Here are a few things family caregivers can do if their senior loved one is at risk of malnutrition.
- Engage Doctors: If your elderly loved one loses weight suddenly, ask his or her doctors about it to determine and look after all the contributing factors. This can include drugs that badly affect the daily appetite, neglecting any restrictions on a diet temporarily, getting treatment from a dentist, or facing trouble chewing.
- Encourage Seniors to Eat Nutrient Rich Food: Cooked vegetables, peanut butter, yogurt, ripe fruits, or chopped nuts can be a few food items that are beneficial for seniors. Try to motivate your senior loved one to eat nutritious foods for breakfast, such as scrambled eggs or whole milk.
- Enjoy Mealtimes: Make a daily habit of having lunch or dinner with your senior loved one so he or she can think more about their diet. Invite family members or friends so your senior loved one can enjoy a meal with others.
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When it comes to professional home care, seniors can greatly benefit from a trained caregiver who can provide tailored care.
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