Elderly Care in Seminole FL
One of the bigger worries that you might have about your elderly loved one, particularly if she still lives alone, is that she’s getting enough nutrition from her diet. Having poor nutrition can cause health problems for your loved one and can also cause her to deteriorate to the point that she loses her independence. Here are some ways that you can figure out if your loved one might be undernourished.
Check out What Your Loved One Eats
Rather than making your elderly loved one self-conscious by asking her too much about what she’s been eating, take a tour around the pantry and refrigerator when you get a chance. Look for expired food, unopened food, or empty shelves. All of this can tell you quite a bit about what you need to know. You can also be on the lookout for foods that are considered full of empty calories, like junk food or processed foods.
Observe How Your Loved One Looks
Has your elderly loved one lost some weight recently? Look at how her clothing fits her. If it’s baggy or hanging off of her more than usual, she may have lost some significant weight. Weight loss isn’t the only indicator of poor nutrition, though. Your loved one could be eating a good bit of food but eating poorly, causing her to actually gain weight. She may also start looking a bit sallow or lackluster and as if she just doesn’t feel well.
Look for Red Flags
Besides physical appearance, there are other nutritional red flags, too. If your loved one seems to have a difficult time healing small wounds or if she’s bruising easily, she may not be getting enough nutrients. Other potential red flags could be dental problems or problems with dizziness or headaches.
Get a Handle on Your Loved One’s Overall Health
The best way to truly understand your loved one’s nutritional health is to talk with her doctor about your concerns. He can run tests to see what exactly is going on with your loved one’s health and give you specific recommendations to help her get all the nutrients that she needs.
Ask your loved one’s elderly care providers and other family members to help you spot potential problems.
If You Or An Aging Loved One Are Considering Hiring In-Home Elderly Care in Seminole, FL, Please Contact The Caring Staff At Assisting Hands Home Care Today! 727-748-4211.
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Becky Moultrie is Owner and Administrator of Assisting Hands Home Care Serving Pinellas. Guided by a motto to Do Good with Love, she’s well positioned to do just that at Assisting Hands. She has a passion for helping families keep seniors and those who are diabled happy and healthy at home. She serves on a number of boards in Pinellas County including the Pinellas Park Gateway Chamber and Better Living Seniors (BLS), leading the Membership Committee. Annually, she hosts a Silver Santa Party, collecting donations for nearly 100 low income seniors in the county. She attends Blessed Sacrament Church, Seminole where she is an Ascribed Member of the Rosminian Order. When not busy Doing Good in the community, Becky is at home with her husband David & their 4 children, tending to their beehives and digging in the garden.
