Your elderly family member might tell you that she’s not hungry very often or that she just doesn’t like eating healthy foods, but it’s possible that’s contributing to malnourishment. Not getting enough nutrients is a big problem for older adults, and it’s avoidable.
It’s Taking Longer for Her to Heal
Your senior’s body needs nutrients in order to keep itself healthy and to recover from small wounds. Things like bruises and cuts that usually heal in a few days might take a lot longer to heal if your senior isn’t getting the right foods on a daily basis. Lacking nutrients affects her health in other ways, too.
She’s Often Tired
Without the right nutrients, it’s difficult for your senior’s body to recharge itself, too. This is a smaller version of healing, but the idea is the same. If your elderly family member is sleeping a lot and is still tired, her nutrition might be part of what’s at play.
Her Memory Seems Affected
Your senior’s brain needs fuel in order to operate. It gets that fuel from what she eats, and if her diet is primarily empty calories or simply just not enough calories at all then her brain is going to suffer. You’ll notice this in the form of memory issues or her seeming to not be “in” when you talk with her.
She’s Irritable or Upset a Lot
It’s tough to regulate moods when the body and the brain aren’t getting what they need. That might manifest in your senior as moodiness or irritability. Your senior might also withdraw, preferring not to be around other people as much as she might be otherwise. This can be a precursor to isolation, which can get even bigger and become more of a problem.
You’re Not Sure What She’s Eating
One of the biggest issues for you as your senior’s family caregiver can be when you don’t know what her daily diet is like. That means you might be assuming your senior is eating healthy foods and regular meals, only to find out later that she isn’t. This is one reason that in-home care providers can be so helpful. Home care providers can assist with meal preparation and help you to stay on top of what and how often your senior is eating.
Take advantage of tools like in-home care services and nutritional information from your senior’s doctor to help her to bump up the nutrients in her diet.
If you or an aging loved-one is considering In-home care in Madison, WI please contact the caring staff at Agape Senior Services Madison today. (608) 841-1004
