While many of us struggle with how to eat less and lose weight, many older adults have the opposite problem. Age-related issues can make it difficult for seniors to eat enough to maintain proper health. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration provides some solutions to help seniors overcome common eating problems, such as:

Chewing problems: For seniors who cannot chew food well, meats and fresh fruits and vegetables can be a problem. The FDA suggests the following substitutions:

Instead of fresh fruit, try fruit juice, apple sauce, or canned peaches and pears.
Instead of raw vegetables, try vegetable juices or mashed and cooked vegetables.
Instead of large pieces of meat, try ground meat, eggs, milk, cheese, yogurt and other dairy products.
Instead of sliced bread, try cooked cereals, rice, bread pudding and soft cookies.

Upset stomach: Too much gas and other stomach problems may cause people … Read More »

In our previous blog post, we talked about how the new MyPlate for Older Adults nutritional model reflects the dietary needs of today’s seniors. MyPlate for Older Adults provides guidance on the types of foods that could provide nutritional benefits to adults 65 and over, but it’s also important for seniors to find a balance of meeting the same nutrient needs as when they were younger, yet consume fewer calories. The following are some tips to help seniors meet their nutrient needs, while staying within their caloric limits:

Drink low-fat milk: Low-fat milk is more nutrient-dense than higher fat milk. Its nutrient content is the same, but it has fewer calories because it has less fat.
Get steamy: Steaming is the best way to cook vegetables because it preserves nutrients. Boiling leaches nutrients from vegetables, but the leftover cooking water can be … Read More »

Everyone knows that a healthy diet is essential for a healthy body. What many people don’t realize however is that, as you age, your dietary needs change.  Researchers at Tufts University have developed the MyPlate formula, an upgrade on the old food pyramid, which provides updated and improved nutrition advice for people age 65 and over.

The MyPlate for Older Adults model emphasizes the importance of foods that are high in vitamins and minerals and low in fat, salt and sugar; however, it also includes guidance regarding recommended regular physical activities and fluid intake, components that are of particular concern for older adults.

Due to decreased activity, older adults tend to need fewer calories as they age, but their bodies still require the same or higher levels of nutrients and regular activity for optimal health. MyPlate for Older Adults recommends focusing nutrition … Read More »

Learn three causes of incontinence and what you can do to help.

Incontinence is a distressing and sensitive concern, especially for older adults. It can cause a wide range of difficulties, from skin sores to isolation for those who are uncomfortable leaving the home in case of an “accident.” Yet although incontinence impacts as many as 25 million Americans, the affliction rarely gets the attention and discussion it needs. With a lack of communication and information shared about senior incontinence, many older adults and those who love them feel as though they need to simply accept and live with it.

However, senior incontinence is not unavoidable as we grow older. While many seniors do find that their bladder may be “weak,” resulting in leaks at times, sometimes the concern has a simple solution.

Below are some incontinence causes that can be … Read More »

Make sure to prioritize privacy as a caregiver to protect your health and well-being.

Think back to your teenage years. Remember how important it was to find a safe place to be by yourself, to shut out the world, turn up the music, and write your most secret thoughts in your diary?

The need for privacy that began then may become overshadowed when providing care for someone else. Yet it’s still vitally important to be able to separate yourself both physically and mentally from your caregiving role to take time for yourself and prioritize privacy as a caregiver.

How Can a Caregiver Make Privacy a Priority?

Frankly, it isn’t always easy. You may feel as though you need to always have at least one ear and eye open to the needs of the person in your care. There … Read More »

When Mom is discharged from the hospital, keep an eye out for a condition known as post-hospital syndrome.

The moment Mom is discharged from the hospital, you exhale, believing the toughest part is finally behind you. But instead of bouncing back, she seems drained, anxious, or even weaker than before. She’s struggling with simple tasks, isn’t sleeping well, and feels overwhelmed.

This wasn’t how you pictured recovery. Instead of a turning point, it feels like she’s slipping backward.

What’s going on?

The Unexpected Challenge of Post-Hospital Recovery

Leaving the hospital doesn’t always mean the body is ready to heal. Many older adults experience post-hospital syndrome—a state of extreme stress and vulnerability that can slow recovery, lead to new health complications, and even increase the risk of readmission.

Stress plays a bigger role than you might realize.

How Stress … Read More »

Learn why it’s so important to allow someone to help lighten your caregiving load, and why you may be feeling so resistant to the idea.

The moment Mom is discharged from the hospital, you exhale, believing the toughest part is finally behind you. But instead of bouncing back, she seems drained, anxious, or even weaker than before. She’s struggling with simple tasks, isn’t sleeping well, and feels overwhelmed.

This wasn’t how you pictured recovery. Instead of a turning point, it feels like she’s slipping backward.

What’s going on?

The Unexpected Challenge of Post-Hospital Recovery

Leaving the hospital doesn’t always mean the body is ready to heal. Many older adults experience post-hospital syndrome—a state of extreme stress and vulnerability that can slow recovery, lead to new health complications, and even increase the risk of readmission.

Stress plays a bigger … Read More »