five things cause older adults to fail at home part 1

The following is Part I in our series on what five things cause older adults to fail at home. When families  know the signs of decline in their  loved one, they can take steps to solve problems well before they become a crisis of care.

Mom is 85 years old. She likes living in her own home, the same home she has lived in for 50 years.  You live miles away or work full time and can’t visit as often as you would like.  And,  when you do visit, you wonder how she is really doing on her own.  She loves living at home, and you want her to be able to stay there.  She has told you of her wish to live there as long as possible, but you have doubts because you see signs of decline. What should you do when you notice changes related to nutrition?
There are five things that can cause elderly people to fail.  These are nutrition, medicine, hygiene, unaddressed medical problems, and safety issues. Our caregivers help the elderly remain at home by offering solutions to these 5 problems. This month we will talk about the need for proper Nutrition.

• Nearly half of older Americans do not get enough sound nutrition or enough fluids in their daily diet.

• Reasons may include physical disabilities, isolation, poverty, mental impairment or not having good nutritional habits.

• Meal Preparation and grocery shopping might now be impossible or they have no interest in doing either activity.

• Health problems caused by poor nutrition are anemia, constipation or other intestinal issues, dehydration, weakness, lethargy or loss of mental sharpness.

• Many who live alone miss the socialization of dining with others and would just rather not eat at all.

What should you do when you notice changes related to nutrition?
Care For Life caregivers will help with grocery shopping, meal planning, cooking & socialization in the Charleston SC and surrounding areas.