Elderly Care Gardena, CA: What Kinds of Challenges Might Your Senior Face Concerning Eating?

You can absolutely help your elderly family member to eat delicious, healthy meals every day. The first step is figuring out why she’s not doing that already, though.

She’s Having Issues Chewing or Swallowing

It’s really difficult to eat or to be excited about eating if chewing and swallowing are giving you trouble. The same is definitely true for your senior family member. If she’s not been to the dentist in a while, now is definitely a time to get a handle on how her dental health is doing. Problems swallowing can be related to dental issues or to other health issues, so it might be a good idea to talk to her doctor.

Food Is Completely Unappealing

Sometimes people get older and gradually find that food just isn’t appealing. It’s not that they’re interested in only the unhealthier foods. It’s more that they’re not excited about any food at all. That doesn’t mean that your senior can just skip eating, though. You may have to work a little to find foods that she’ll eat, even when she’s not excited about eating.

Her Senses Are Changing

One reason that food is sometimes unappealing can be because your senior’s senses are changing. The most common culprits are the senses of smell and taste, but losing a little bit of sight can make food less appealing, too. There are ways around this, but it might mean experimenting a little bit to find the right solutions for your senior’s situation.

She’s Got a Very Special Diet

Depending on your elderly family member’s health issues, her doctor might recommend a specific diet. Someone with heart disease or high cholesterol might need to avoid certain foods and definitely things like excess salt. If your senior is diabetic, she might need to eat lower glycemic foods in order to keep her blood sugar within specific ranges. But that kind of strict adherence can make food feel a lot less fun than it might have been in the past.

Cooking Is Difficult or Exhausting

Some people have never liked cooking and your senior might number among them. When cooking wasn’t ever really fun, but now it’s exhausting or a lot more difficult, that’s a big reason to avoid it even more. Your senior might benefit from outsourcing that task. Elderly care providers can help your elderly family member to eat healthy foods, even if she’s not interested in cooking them herself.

There are ways around all of these challenges, but the first problem is identifying what’s keeping your senior from eating. Talk to her and include her doctor in what you’re finding out.

If you or an aging loved-one is considering Elderly Care in Gardena, CA please contact the caring staff at American Geriatric Care Management, LLC today at (310) 648-0614.

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Ellen Samson

CEO at American Geriatric Care Management

American Geriatric was founded from personal experience of Ellen. Originating from a culture-rich country and strong family ties, Ellen felt the need of sharing the responsibility of taking care of the elders of the family. Growing up with the grandpas’ and grandmas’ love and care, spoiled with kisses and gifts and advice gave her the passion for returning the care.

In June 2011, American Geriatric was incorporated.It started out with a few staff. With the increasing number of clients signing up for in-home care, it expanded its network and multiplied the number of care providers to accommodate the need. In January 2012, health coordination and family dynamics support services were offered to cater to a more complex care needs of the elderly.

American Geriatric is now a full-fledged licensed Home Care Organization regulated by Home Care Services Bureau of California Department of Social Services, in full compliance with AB1217, The Home Care Services Consumer Protection Act.