As a family caregiver, you understand how important it is for your aging parent to get the nutrition that their body needs. Getting the right balance of nutrients is essential for their body to thrive and function properly. This includes warding off a variety of health complications and challenges and properly managing conditions that they already have.
Unfortunately, many elderly adults do not get the nutrition that they need on a regular basis. There are many factors that go into senior suffering from inadequate nutrition, and as a family caregiver, it is critical that you understand this risks and can take the steps to prevent this problem from happening in your senior.
Some things that you should know about the risk for inadequate nutrition among seniors include:
- Approximately 30 percent of seniors who are admitted to the hospital are suffering malnutrition at the time of admission
- Between 30 and 61 percent of seniors who are in the hospital are suffering malnutrition
- Inadequate nutrition and the consequences associated with it, including severe weight loss, are not inevitable effects of aging and should not be overlooked
- Seniors with inadequate nutrition are more prone to illness and infection than those who reliably get proper nutrition
- Seniors with inadequate nutrition are more vulnerable to injury and have a more difficult time recovering from injuries than those who reliably get proper nutrition
If you are concerned that your aging parent may be suffering from inadequate nutrition, do not hesitate to get in touch with their doctor to discuss their needs and get recommendations for how to help your parent get better nutrition on a regular basis.
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 an 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.