Basic Nutrition for the Elderly
Life Alarm Services has been recognized as a provider of quality medical alarm/personal emergency response systems for numerous years. Our well trained staff, customer friendly support, dependable products and concern for the well-being of our subscribers are a few factors that make Life Alarm stand out above the rest.
Life Alarm Services is referred through thousands of public agencies, hospitals, community service organizations, home health care providers, and subscribers throughout the nation. Our monitoring center has monitored thousands of subscribers, and provided them with quality service throughout. That is an accomplishment we are very proud of. After all, each of our subscribers and their families trust in our service due to the responsibility we have.
We provide medical alarm/personal emergency response service throughout the United States and Canada. Our product is a very installer-friendly plug and play system. This simplistic system makes our subscribers comfortable with the operation of their life saving system, Life Alarm. The two-way voice communication system assures quick and efficient response to any in-home emergency. Our systems are ideally designed for the elderly and disabled persons who are home alone and medically at risk.
Basic Nutrition for the Elderly
As we age, we should pay close attention to nutrition. A good nutrition plan can lead to a longer healthier life. Older adults are especially vulnerable to sickness and seasonal illnesses. Eating foods that are part of a basic nutrition program utilizing food groups from the food guide pyramid will help build a healthy immune system to combat illness.
Many elderly people have trouble chewing nutritious foods. Some have trouble with dairy products and some with eating foods rich in fiber. There are alternative ways to prepare nutritious foods to make it more suitable.
Healthy Suggestions
- In place of fresh fruit, try fruit juices or soft canned fruit in its own juices.
- Try quality vegetable soups over fresh vegetables. Homemade is best if you need to alter the fat or sodium. You can also cream or puree vegetables.
- Grind meats or cut into small chunks. Meat can be difficult to chew for an elderly person and may pose a choking hazard.
- When consuming fiber rich foods, drink plenty of fluids to avoid bulky stool or bloating.
- If you are bothered by milk products, try lactose free or soy products.
- Many seniors suffer from loss of appetite and have difficulty eating. There are nutritional drink supplement such as Ensure® or Boost®.
Self-Test
Give yourself a nutritional self-test to see whether or not you are meeting your basic nutritional needs. Give yourself the determined amounts of points for each question to find your nutritional score.
- An ongoing illness or current condition has made me change the kinds of food I eat. (2 points)
- I eat fewer than two full meals per day. (3 points)
- I eat few fruits and vegetables, or milk products. (2 points)
- I have three or more drinks of beer, liquor, or wine almost every day. (2 points)
- I don’t always have enough money for the food I need. (4 points)
- I eat alone most of the time. (1 point)
- I take three or more different prescriptions or over-the-counter drugs a day. (1 point)
- Without meaning to, I have lost or gained ten pounds in the past six months. (2 points)
- I can’t always shop, cook, or feed myself. (2 points)
Nutritional Score
- 0-2: Good
- 3-5: Marginal - Look for ways to make small improvements
- 6 or more: High Risk - You should seek improvements or help with your meal plan
What Can We Do?
Some elderly people have trouble getting to the supermarket to buy nutritious food. Check with your local stores to see if they deliver or find someone in the neighborhood who may be able to help. Also check with your church, they may have members who help the elderly with running errands.
Elderly people also eat less when eating alone. Arrange for them to eat with family members or occasionally take them out to eat. Some senior citizens centers have group meals. If yours does not, try suggesting it. This would be enjoyable for a lot of seniors and a great way for them to socialize. Make nutritious meals something to look forward to!
Basic Nutritional Information
The elderly should have access to basic nutritional information and life-alarm services to allow them independence during their golden years. Life-Alarm Services can be used should choking or any type of emergency happens while alone in the home.
2009© By Life Alarm Services.