Inadequate nutrition can put an elderly adult at serious risk of a wide variety of complications and consequences including increased risk for illnesses or an infection, increased vulnerability to injuries, poor wound healing, tiredness and fatigue, and even mental and emotional health issues such as depression. As a family caregiver, it is extremely important to not only understand the risks associated with inadequate nutrition, but also to be able to identify the particular factors that may contribute to your parent not getting the nutrition that they need on a regular basis. There are many things that can lead to an elderly adult not getting proper nutrition, one being mobility issues.
Mobility issues are extremely common among elderly adults. These can stem from lingering effects of injuries and illnesses from their younger years, current injuries and illnesses, arthritis, balance problems, and other factors. These issues can affect quality of life and function in many ways, including in your parent’s ability to get adequate nutrition. A senior who is unable to move around the house confidently and safely may not get up to get something to eat as often as they should. They may fear that they will fall, or may not be able to get up out of the bed or a chair on their own. This may lead to your parent not eating as often as they should. Even if your senior is able to get up and get to the kitchen, they may not be able to stand for a long enough length of time to cook a proper meal. This can lead them to reaching for convenience foods or foods that do not have adequate nutrition because they are simpler to prepare.
If your senior is suffering from mobility issues and you are concerned that they are not getting adequate nutrition, there are several steps that you can take. Stocking their freezer with easy to warm up meals, ensuring that their refrigerator has easily accessible snacks and food items, and having elderly care in place to assist with meal preparation can help your parent to address their mobility issues while also making sure that they need to keep their body as healthy and strong as possible as they age in place.
Starting elderly care for your aging parent can be an exceptional way for you to help your parent live their highest quality of life possible as they age in place. An elderly home care services provider can be with your parent when it is best for them to offer a highly personalized set of services designed to address their needs, challenges, and limitations in the ways that are right for them. Through these services the care provider can help your parent stay happy, healthy, comfortable, and safe, while also pursuing a lifestyle that is as active, engaged, and independent as possible throughout their later years. These services will be designed with your parent as an individual in mind, shaping the services around their thoughts, opinions, beliefs, and personal goals for the most fulfilling quality of life.
If you or an aging loved one needs elderly care in Roseville, CA, remember Senior Home Care Services. Call us at (916) 514-7006 for more information.
Sources
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/caregivers/in-depth/senior-health/art-20044699
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-b-blancato/senior-malnutrition-a-nat_b_6832238.html
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