Nutrition Important to Older Adults

Q. The older I get, the less appetite I have. How do I know if I'm eating too little? Living alone, I sometimes forget to eat.

Proper nutrition is vital to healthy aging. Look for these warning signs that you could be headed for trouble, from Home Instead Senior Care’s “Cooking Under Pressure” public education campaign:

Loss of appetite: If you have always been a hearty eater but no longer eat as you used to, it’s time to find out why. Underlying illness could be the root cause.
Little to no interest in eating out: If you have always loved eating out at a favorite restaurant but no longer are interested, dig deeper to determine the problem.
Depression: Change in appetite is a classic sign of depression. Be sure to follow up with a physician if you suspect depression may be a problem.
Sudden weight fluctuation: A weight change -- losing or gaining 10 pounds in six months -- is another sign that something could be amiss.
Expired or spoiled food: Check the refrigerator for expired or spoiled food. You could be saving food until it’s no longer safe. Make sure that all food is labeled, with the date, in large letters and numbers.
Skin tone: Observe your skin tone. If you are eating properly, skin should look healthy and well-hydrated.
Lethargy: If you have regularly been active and enjoyed taking walks but suddenly become lethargic, see a doctor. Poor nutrition could be to blame.
Cognitive problems: Seniors who live alone might forget to eat. If you suspect dementia, quick intervention is vital.
More than three medications: Medication can influence both appetite and weight. Check with your doctor to find out if your medications could be the culprit.
A recent illness: Illness or a hospital stay could make you lose interest in eating. Make sure you have reliable help at home.

Support in the way of companionship, and meal preparation and shopping assistance could be just what you need. Contact Home Instead Senior Care of Frederick County to learn more.

For more information about Home Instead Senior Care of Frederick County, visit www.homeinstead.com/627. For more information about seniors and nutrition, log on to www.foodsforseniors.com.

Resources Can Help Caregivers Talk to Seriously Ill

Q. My 83-year-old- dad is seriously ill, but he won't even broach the subject of his legal and financial affairs or his personal wishes. Any suggestions?

You’re not alone. Discussing such subjects with older adults can be very difficult. Home Instead Senior Care research has revealed that nearly half of all Boomers would like to know more about their parents’ end-of-life wishes.

Knowing how to get personal financial and legal affairs in order is something every older adult should consider.

The "Legal Guide for the Seriously Ill" – a project by the American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging commissioned by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NAPCO) – was designed for both the seriously ill individual and those caring for someone who is seriously ill.

The guide explains “Seven Key Steps” in a brief, clear way while offering additional tips and resources for readers looking for more detailed information and guidance. The recently released guide addresses societal issues that have gained prominent media attention in recent years, such as paying for health care, managing health and personal decisions and patient rights.

J. Donald Schumacher, president and CEO of NHPCO added, “Hospice and palliative care organizations are frequently asked for information regarding end-of-life planning and decision-making. This guide will be a tremendous resource to them as well as faith communities, caregiver organizations, aging service providers, hospitals and others who work to support people living with a serious illness."

Broaching these subjects with their senior parents can be difficult for adult children. That’s why Home Instead Senior Care created the 40-70 Rule public education campaign. If you’re 40 and your older loved one is 70, it’s time to start discussing these sensitive subjects like end-of-life issues. No matter what the age, it’s never too late to get the conversation going.

Go to www.4070talk.com for more information. By clicking on “Life Legacies” in the list on the left, you’ll find tips on discussing sensitive subjects, a pre-planning checklist and “five wishes,” a tool by which to help older adults know that their wishes will be honored.

For more information about Home Instead Senior Care of Frederick County, log on to www.homeinstead.com/627. For more about the new guide, visit http://www.caringinfo.org/UserFiles/File/PDFs/AdvanceCarePlanningLegalIssues/Legal_Guide_for_Seriously_Ill.pdf.

Volunteering Helps Fight Frailty, Study Shows

Q. As a typically active woman in my early 70s, I'm finding that it's harder to get motivated to do much of anything. Is it really all that important?

In a word – yes! Add another study to the growing list confirming the premise that keeping the mind and body active appears to slow many of the signs and consequences of aging. This research finds that volunteering seems to produce the best results, and paid work was a benefit as well.

Frailty is a geriatric condition marked by weight loss, low energy and strength, and low physical activity. UCLA researchers followed 1,072 healthy adults aged 70 to 79 between 1988 and 1991 to determine if productive activities – specifically volunteering, paid work and child care – prevent the onset of frailty.

At the beginning of the study, 28 percent of participants volunteered, 25 percent performed child care duties and 19 percent worked for pay. After three years, participants in all three activities were found to be less likely to become frail. After accounting for levels of physical and cognitive function, however, only volunteering was associated with lower rates of frailty.

For information about volunteering opportunities in Frederick County, contact a local church or synagogue, senior center, or other nonprofit organization to find out how you can help out.

If you would like to know more about how to prevent frailty, visit http://www.getmommoving.com/, Home Instead Senior Care’s public education campaign that is geared toward keeping seniors active and healthy.

Also, please take note of these warning signs of frailty:

Change. If you’ve always been interested in talking to the neighbors, reading the newspaper, or volunteering, but you’re withdrawing from those interests, see a doctor.

Inactivity. If you’re suddenly much less active than usual, take some time to consider why.
Slowing down. If you used to have a bounce in your step and now, suddenly, you trudge along, that’s a bad sign that needs to be addressed.

Loss of appetite and weight. If you’ve enjoyed cooking and always had a healthy appetite, but seem to have lost interest in food, you’re right to be concerned.

Unsteadiness. Loss of balance comes with aging, but increasing unsteadiness is a sign that something could be wrong.

For more information about Home Instead Senior Care or Frederick County, visit www.homeinstead.com/627. For more about the study, log on to http://newsroom.ucla.edu/portal/ucla/volunteering-may-prevent-the-elderly-150545.aspx

Seniors More Vulnerable to Fire

My 85-year-old mother loves candles and is always burning them, especially on chilly winter nights. She also often falls asleep with a candle burning. Since she lives alone, I’m worried about her safety.

Your mother could be vulnerable to a very real safety threat. The U.S. Fire Administration says people over the age of 65 have a home fire death rate nearly twice the national average. For those over 75, that risk nearly triples. Older adults account for 32 percent of fire deaths and 12 percent of estimated fire injuries, according to the National Fire Data Center (NFDC) of the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA).

In Canada, the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshall reports that seniors over the age of 65 accounted for 30 percent of all fire fatalities reported between 1999 and 2008.

People with limited physical and cognitive abilities, especially older adults, are at a higher risk of death from fire than other groups.

Ask your mom to consider these safety tips from the National Candle Association:

• Keep lighted candles within your sight.
• Never leave a burning candle unattended.
• Never burn a candle on or near anything that can catch fire.
• Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets.
• Trim wicks to one-fourth inch prior to each use.
• Keep candles away from drafts and vents.
• Always use an appropriate candleholder placed on a stable, heat-resistant surface.
• Read and follow all manufacturer instructions carefully.

Maximum burn times vary from candle to candle; follow the manufacturer's instructions, the National Candle Association recommends. Always extinguish a candle if the flame gets too close to the candle holder or container. For a margin of safety, discontinue burning a candle when two inches of wax remains (one-half inch if a container candle or jar candle).

Since your mother lives alone, ask her to consider hiring a home care companion, who could serve as a second set of eyes to keep her safe at home. Home Instead Senior Care hires CAREGivers who are screened, trained, bonded and insured. Also, why not purchase for your mother battery-operated flameless candles? They look like the real thing without the real fire danger.

For more information about Home Instead Senior Care of Frederick County, visit www.homeinstead.com/627. For more safety tips from the National Candle Association, log on to http://www.candles.org/about_faq.html.