Caregiver & Feeding Tips For The Elderly

According to the Family Caregiving Alliance, more than 15 percent of the U.S. population provide care to adults over the age of 50. While licensed and certified professional care providers generally have support systems in place, family members and friends who serve as care partners must rely upon their own resources. Elder care is a challenge that taxes the mental, physical and emotional health of the care provider. If you have accepted the responsibility for care of an elderly person, it is important to seek help from outside sources as much as possible.

Ensuring Proper Nutrition

An elder's loss of appetite or general disinterest in food is a frequent challenge for care providers. Depending upon an elder's health status, illness, medications, inactivity or even mild depression can affect his enjoyment of food. Frequent small meals throughout the day are preferable to one or two heavy meals. Because most prepared foods contain preservatives and excess amounts of sugar, small portions of lean protein and a vegetable carbohydrate will provide the necessary nutrients and promote healthy digestion. Sweetened juices and soft drinks should be avoided in lieu of purified drinking water.

Medication Management

When an elder must take several medications throughout the day, the risk for error or drug interactions is greatly increased. When possible, both the elder and care provider should know the name and purpose for each medication. Rather than attempt to devise your own system for dispensing pills, look for a medication box and reminder system that suits your budget and personal requirements. A list of all prescribing physicians and pharmacists should be posted in a conspicuous location.

Encourage Social Interaction

Loneliness is a health risk for people of all ages, but particularly for the elderly. While a caregiver may have the best of intentions, the challenges of completing tasks and providing support for personal care and health needs often leaves little time for leisure activities and conversation. A lunch out or card game with a friend or companion does wonders for an older adult's sense of well-being and should be encouraged. In addition to on-premise social activities and community lunch programs, many senior centers and local government agencies offer companionship programs for little or no cost.

Living Environment

Maintaining a pleasant atmosphere is a daily challenge for the caregiver. If an elder is confined indoors for long periods of time, it is important to provide an opportunity for fresh air and exposure to sunshine for at least 15 minutes each day. Music and occasional conversations are healthy alternatives to mindless television programming. Humor and physical contact in the form of a gentle touch or hug, are powerful healing mechanisms that help to keep the elder vital and in touch with her sense of humanity.