Older adults often have a higher risk of developing foodborne illnesses as their immune systems are a little slower to fight off harmful bacteria and parasites. Around 50% of older adults who contract a foodborne illness like E. coli or salmonella end up needing hospital care.

When it comes to food safety, is your mom taking the necessary precautions? Does she leave meat on the counter to thaw overnight? If she has leftovers, does she move them to the refrigerator within an hour of cooking them or does she leave them out for hours or overnight before taking care of them?

These are risky habits, yet some older adults don’t realize the danger. It’s time to address food safety with your mom.

Clean the Fridge Regularly

Each week, you should go through your mom’s refrigerator and check the dates on dairy products. In most cases, it’s okay to use them for a week past their sell-by date, but you need to make sure they smell and look okay.

Eggs can last for more than a month, provided the shells are intact. Seafood should be used within two days of purchasing it. If she’s not going to use an item before two days pass, move it to the freezer or cook it and freeze it.

Check her produce for any bad spots or rot. If items are starting to rot or have mold, move them to a compost bin. Sometimes, the bad spots can be removed and the rest of the item can be used. You’ll have to use some judgment here. If it’s a small spot, it’s fine. If it’s a large percentage of the item, compost it.

Check For Recalls

Go through the list of recalled food items on the FoodSafety.gov website. If your mom has items that have been recalled, get rid of them and contact the store or manufacturer for a refund. Some of the more recent recalls include:

• Enoki mushrooms were recalled on February 24th because of listeria.
• Conagra Brand canned poultry and meats that were processed between December 12, 2022, and January 13, 2023, due to potential contamination during packaging.
• Several charcuterie samplers from companies like Frederik’s By Meijer, Boar’s Head, etc. with sell-by dates of April 2023 due to listeria.
• Ground beef from La Michoacana Meat Market due to E. coli.

Sign up for these recalls and public health alerts to ensure you don’t miss them.

Cook Foods to the Right Temperatures

Many foodborne illnesses are best prevented through proper cooking techniques. Make sure your mom cooks all poultry to 165ºF, beef, pork, lamb, veal, and fish to 145ºF, and hot dogs, sausages, and ground beef, pork, lamb, or veal to 160ºF.

Meat needs to thaw in the refrigerator. Never thaw it on the counter.

Arrange Companion Care Services for Meals and Kitchen Clean-Up

If she finds it difficult to cook meals safely, put leftovers away in time, or sterilize her kitchen area, it’s time to arrange companion care at home. Have caregivers help with meal preparation and kitchen clean up. A companion care at home specialist can help you arrange the services your mom needs to protect herself from foodborne illnesses.

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/people-at-risk-food-poisoning.html

If You Or An Aging Loved One Are Considering Hiring Companion Care at Home in South Pasadena, FL, Please Contact The Caring Staff At Assisting Hands Home Care Today! 727-748-4211.