Malnutrition in Seniors: What to Look For

MALNUTRITION: Everyday older adults are hospitalized for malnutrition, in fact 50% of older adults are malnourished. Malnutrition increases the number of hospital stays and the length of hospital stays.? Our bodies need proper nutrition to function correctly and many don’t realize that malnutrition in older adults contributes to the following:

• the development of many geriatric syndromes
• the decline in quality of life
• decreased cognitive function
• decreased ability to performing activities of daily living
• weakened immune system
• increased mortality and morbidity

Many factors, both physical and emotional, can contribute to malnutrition in older adults.? The most prevalent is that as we age our senses decline meaning we don’t feel hungry and food doesn’t taste or smell as good as it once did.? Coupling that with the loss of a spouse or friends means loneliness and depression and eating alone or cooking for one makes it worse as eating is no longer as enjoyable as it once was. As mobility and eyesight decline, the task of shopping becomes harder, too.? Not to mention our strength and mind also diminishes as we age and figuring out various food packaging becomes harder. Lastly, certain medications prevent certain nutrients from being absorbed by the body and some won’t allow eating of certain foods.? Because of this, it’s no wonder 50% of older adults are malnourished.

What signs to look for??

• Jewelry, clothing, and dentures are loose
• Constantly tired/sleeping more
• Hair is falling out
• Complaining of how cold they are
• Skin is cold and paper thin
• Slow in recovering from illness/injury
• Being depressed, angry or irritated all the time
• Eating less?
• Unexplained, sudden weight loss
• Falling, dizziness

What can one do to help???

• Check in on your aging loved ones and neighbors.??
• Ask them what they have been eating and offer to take them shopping or go shopping with them.?
• Post it? notes to remind them how to operate the microwave to heat up food.
• Call them to remind them to eat.
• Bring a meal over to them and eat with them/offer to take them out or bring them to your house.
• Look in their cabinets and refrigerator and make sure not only that there is proper food, but it isn’t spoiled.?
• Look in the garbage/recycling to make sure they are realizing how to properly open food containers.
• Watch them to see if they have the strength to move around the kitchen to prepare food.
• Make sure they can open the packaging the food is in.?
• Talk to them, see if they can carry on conversation and know what is happening.
• Ask if it would be helpful if you brought them prepared meals.??
• Get a professional involved to help:? nutritionist, pharmacist, medical or senior living professional

What happens when you aren’t there and they are alone? Leaving food, even if prepared already for them many not be enough. Hiring full time care when you aren't there may be too much. So, how can you monitor that they are eating?? One way is with technology, like Family CareSpace At Home which uses sensors to monitor and alert/notify how often/when a refrigerator, pantry door, or cabinet door is opened/how long it’s opened. When changes occur, preemptive alerting is sent out to designated individuals (family, caregiver, medical professional, senior living professional, neighbor, friend, etc.) These individuals can decide to call, visit, send a neighbor over, etc.??

Example:? If Sally usually opens the refrigerator 3 times between 8:05 an 8:15 every morning, and it’s now 8:20 and it wasn’t opened, an alert could go out to her daughter.?

Family CareSpace At Home can monitor other changes to daily living as well and can help families, medical professionals, senior living professionals know when more care is needed for an aging adult.? Check out www.familycarespacestore.com and see how to turn your loved one’s home into a SmartCaring Home. Use incentive code AKG-05 for 5% off your initial order.? Call Amy K. Gaskin, National Director of Operations, 321-236-4777 with any questions you have and how to make your loved one’s home safer with Family CareSpace At Home.