A parent’s love for his or her kids knows no age restrictions. And parents of any age want to shield their children from worries and concerns, which in many instances leads to minimizing their own concerns and worries. And when families live far apart from each other, it can be difficult to assess how healthy aging parents actually are.
One of the greatest areas of concern in the aging process is a decline in eating practices. If you are doubtful that your older loved ones are getting sufficient nourishment to stay healthy, the simple assessment below can help uncover possible red flags for senior health:
- Has the senior mentioned loss of appetite, digestive issues, or chewing or swallowing complications? Has there been diminished food intake over the past three months as a result of these complaints?
- Has the older adult encountered weight loss over the past three months? Weight loss, especially in someone who is largely inactive, can be a signal of senior malnutrition.
- Does the older adult have problems with mobility? Being bedbound or unable to go outside can cause nutritional challenges like inability to shop for groceries or prepare meals.
- Has the senior struggled with psychological stress or acute disease in the past three months?
- What is the older person’s body mass index (BMI)? A BMI of 18.5 or less might be a sign that the individual is not eating enough, while a BMI of 30 or more can suggest obesity.
If you learn through this evaluation that a senior loved one may be struggling with nutritional issues, it’s always best to first check in with his or her physician for further senior health tips. Live Well at Home can also help with dietary issues and any other in-home senior care needs, through a wide range of services that can include:
- Meal preparation
- Transportation and accompaniment to doctors’ appointments
- Light housework
- Running errands
- Medication reminders
- And more
Our expert senior care team is compassionate, fully trained, background checked and available around the clock, according to each senior’s individual needs and schedule. You can reach us at 916-459-3220 or contact us online to find out more about how we provide the kind of home care Lincoln, CA families prefer most. To learn more about all of the other areas that we serve in California, visit our Service Area page.