Senior Care Corner

Some older adults experience more trouble with chewing and swallowing foods when they eat, taste foods differently, don’t feel like preparing meals for one, feel lonesome during meal times, fear ‘healthier’ foods are too expensive, or overly restrict what they eat because they are trying to control a chronic disease. Getting enough healthy food, especially foods that include protein and essential nutrients, such as calcium and B vitamins, can make independence harder to maintain as our senior loved ones age. Family caregivers can help older adults stay on track, eat nutrient dense foods, shop for healthy foods on a budget, and facilitate putting meals on the table when they can’t always do it for themselves. Here are ways family caregivers can help seniors eating well everyday from the National Institute of Aging and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (association of Registered Dietitians).

In light of the recent outbreak, family caregivers of older adults should be aware of the discussion and following the latest news and research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding vaccines for seniors. However, individuals who received an inactivated measles vaccine in the 1960s, were born outside of the US, have no record of vaccination or were never vaccinated when they were a child are recommended to speak to their doctor about options including testing and getting immunized. You may want to take a little time and search through the old health records for your senior adults to see if you can find an immunization record for the usual childhood diseases. Tests and procedures such as mammograms, prostate checks, colonoscopy, annual physical, dilated eye exam, blood pressure test, bone density testing, hearing exam, and baseline cognitive screening are all important screening tests that can keep both you and your senior well.

Supporting family caregivers in your efforts to make better the lives of senior loved ones is the mission of Senior Care Corner®. Through our ongoing coverage of all things technology, including CES® the annual technology innovation showcase, we work to keep you informed regarding tech that is currently available and innovations still in the pipeline. We have learned over time that the Senior Care Corner audience has a wide range of knowledge, interests, and experience when it comes to technology and thus a variety of needs. We have developed this short survey to help us better understand your needs and tailor our reporting to better meet those needs.

* Evaluate social factors such as food insecurity, financial barriers, and housing when creating a treatment plan and refer to community resources as needed Despite all efforts to educate and manage diabetes in the population, the ADA reports that “33–49% of patients still do not meet targets for glycemic, blood pressure, or cholesterol control, and only 14% meet targets for all three measures while also avoiding smoking”. Using the latest technology can help lower the cost of care, reduce the likelihood of unscheduled medical interventions, help control medication adjustments and reduce complications due to better blood glucose control. Tracking medication adherence using electronic pill dispensers that will alert both caregivers and the medical team when medication is skipped or administered inappropriately Improved diabetes management will occur when the cost of care, supplies, medications, and a reduction in out-of-pocket expenses are controlled. All these advances can help our senior loved ones manage their diabetes and prevent adverse events from low blood sugar (or high blood sugar) as long as we advocate for them to get the individualized treatment plan and education they deserve.