Undernutrition in the elderly is a serious issue, and drink supplements are often added to the diet to help seniors get the nutrients they need. But how do supplements stack up to real food, and how do the top supplements compare to one another? Compared to the option of low-fat yogurt and an orange, which has around 206 calories, 12 … Read More
Are Your Senior Family Members Getting Enough to Eat?
There are several common aspects of aging, such as chewing issues, digestive problems, loneliness, depression, and certain medications, that can cause seniors to decrease food intake, making it difficult for them to get the nutrition they need. Because family members can’t be there to monitor all meals and snacks, it’s often difficult to know if dietary needs are being met. … Read More
How Older Adults Can Get the Nutrients They Need
As adults age, calorie requirements change due to increased body fat, decreased muscle and lower activity levels. Because of this, meeting nutrient needs becomes more of a challenge for seniors. The key to this problem is to choose foods that are high in nutrients in relation to the calories they contain. The following are a few examples of foods that … Read More
Well Fed: Tips for Seniors with Eating Issues
As we age, healthy eating habits become increasingly important. However, because of certain health issues and restrictions, many older people have trouble eating well. Luckily, the Food and Drug Administration offers some solutions to several common problems that keep seniors from eating a balanced diet. Trouble Chewing: For seniors who cannot chew food well, meats and fresh fruits and vegetables … Read More
Tips for San Francisco Bay Area Family Caregivers to Create a Senior-Friendly Holiday Season
Holidays should be times for relaxation and joy, but sometimes, rather than the anticipated enjoyment, they become overly stressful, creating tension and unhappy times. With a little thought and pre-planning, however, those stress factors can melt away for a more enjoyable time for all. Include frail elderly family members in holiday preparations and activities only to the extent they are … Read More
Senior Safety Tips for the Holidays
Enjoy a safe holiday with seniors in their home or yours, and consider certain safety issues. Decorating Use colorful paper garlands strung high instead of breakable objects placed within reach. Remove anything a frail elderly person may stumble over. Replace candles with bright centerpieces of fruit or flowers. Lighting Make sure all locations are properly lit, including doorways inside and … Read More
Family Holidays Can Include Seniors
Preparation is the key to any successful outing—and a day out with a frail elderly person should never be spontaneous. The first task must be to vet the activity to ensure that it is suitable for the elderly person. Consider: the amount of walking involved, and if there is parking nearby if the destination is flat or has hills or … Read More
Stress-Free Holidays: Caring for the Family Caregiver
Without holiday traditions and activities, it just wouldn’t seem like the holidays. For each fun activity, like purchasing thoughtful gifts, writing holiday cards, trimming the tree, decorating the home, hanging pretty twinkle lights, and baking and cooking delicious food for holiday parties, there are additional responsibilities like addressing and stamping envelopes, shopping for ingredients, budgeting for gifts, and keeping the … Read More
Driving: How to Know When It’s Time to Stop
Being able to drive is a source of pride for most individuals. It means they are independent and can travel where they want, when they want. However, operating a vehicle requires focus and quick reaction time, which naturally tend to diminish with age. For a person with Alzheimer’s disease, however, these vital abilities decrease at an accelerated rate, making it … Read More
Knowing Information About Alzheimer’s Disease Can Help You Detect the Signs
Everyone becomes somewhat forgetful with age. Mild memory loss is not something to be overly concerned with usually, but when it begins to interfere with daily activities, it may be a sign of Alzheimer’s disease. Knowing information about Alzheimer’s Disease and its warning signs can help family members and caregivers know when they are dealing with normal memory loss and … Read More