My name is Marilyn Baker, and I have horrible allergies. I’m 42 years old and have been suffering from allergies since I was a child. I have seasonal and environmental allergies. Allergies plague me year round. When I was young, my parents even moved to a dryer area in the hope of helping me. Over the past eight years, I have done extensive research both through doctors and online. I have managed to come up with some combinations that have helped me a great deal. My allergies aren’t gone, but they have become manageable. I do have to have allergy shots, but I also use some natural remedies. I am happy to be able to share my findings with you here on my blog. I hope you can find some of this of value.
3.7 million seniors in the US are malnourished, so if you're worried about your own parent eating well, you're not alone. People can lose their appetite as they age because of a lower metabolism, side effects from medications, depression, and changing taste buds. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to help make sure your parent gets the right amount of nutrients.
Make sure your parent has company during mealtimes.
Dining alone can make food less appetizing, and this is especially the case with older adults who suffer from depression. People can become much less motivated to prepare a meal and sit down to a table to eat if they have no one to enjoy their food with, which means they might not receive enough calories to stay healthy and energized.
Make it a priority to eat meals with your parent if you can. If you have several relatives or family friends in the area, you can set up a schedule so that everyone shares at least one meal with your parent each week.
If this isn't feasible, try to connect with a senior center on your parent's behalf. Through the center, you can learn about senior outings that gather people together to share a meal. Many communities have weekly outings to different restaurants, and some centers may even be able to pick up your parent from home for these dates.
Enlist professional help.
You can also contact professional services that are specifically equipped to help with senior nutrition. Many senior home care organizations employ staff who can prepare meals for your parent in the home, and this is an attractive option because it ensures home-cooked meals that can cater to your parent's taste preferences. The staff member can sit with your parent while he or she eats, which means that this option has a double benefit.
These caregivers can also help with daily activities like bathing, taking medication, or physician exercise, and you can set up a package that fits your parent's needs. You can start with just a few services and then sign up for more comprehensive care if your parent's abilities decline in the future.
Take your parent to the dentist.
A loss of appetite is sometimes caused by dental problems. Some older people may not be able to bite and chew foods as they once did, which means that foods like steaks and apples can no longer be enjoyed.
To help remedy the situation, a dentist could install high-quality dental implants in place of damaged or missing teeth so that your parent can regain some biting strength. Dental implants could last up to 20 years with proper maintenance.
It's important for older people to get the right amount of nutrients so that they can stay as physically and mentally sharp as possible, and a dentist's visit, professional home care, and company during mealtimes can all help ensure that your parent is eating well.
For more information, contact ComForcare - Park Ridge or a similar location.
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