Seniors & Nutrition

The Challenges Of Hunger And Under-Nutrition Among America’s Aging Population

For millions of seniors across America, hunger and malnutrition are a real issue.  In fact, one in two either goes hungry or does not get the proper nutrition.  And as our population ages, the need grows greater all around us.  Comfort Keepers is dedicated to helping seniors live healthy, independent lives.  In response to a growing need for awareness about senior hunger, the Comfort Keepers system has launched a nationwide campaign called STOP Senior Hunger to create awareness for the importance of a healthy diet for those 65 and over.  This senior nutrition campaign aims to help seniors preserve their independence by providing diet and nutrition information, encouragement and necessities. We are starting by holding the first of our food drives in Rockford.

 

 

Between October 18 through October 31 Comfort Keepers in Rockford collected non-perishable items to go to needy seniors in Winnebago County.  The amount collected has now passed 400 lbs.  This food has been distributed through LifeScape Services.  LifeScape not only provides meals-on-wheels to senior shut-ins, but has a list of seniors who are not house-bound, but are still struggling to afford food.  Many are caught between should they spend money on the medicine they need, or on food.

THANK YOU again to these community focused organizations here in Rockford that helped us to collect food for seniors in this area.  They acted as drop off points in Rockford.

 Christ United Methodist Church  
4509 Highcrest Rd.   

Crimson Point Assisted Living
7130 Crimson Ridge Dr.
 
Rockford Chamber of Commerce  
308 W. State St., Suite 190  
 
NIAAA (Agency on Ageing)
2576 Charles Street
 
K-Mart Store     
1321 Sandy Hollow Rd.
  
Choices Natural Market
6551 E. Riverside Blvd.
 
 The Grand Victorian  
3495 McFarland Rd.
 
 Comfort Keepers office
4835 Manhattan Dr. 

 

More than 1 in 2 seniors in the care of others are at risk for under- or mal-nutrition (Mayo Clinic/American Dietetic Association). Malnutrition is the lack of proper nutrition, not necessarily a lack of food. Detecting malnutrition in seniors may be difficult, and even seniors who eat enough may be eating the wrong foods to keep themselves healthy. At Comfort Keepers®, we help seniors live healthy, independent lives. That’s why we have created an initiative to address senior nutrition issues.

As seniors age and change, so do their nutritional needs. So keeping them properly fed and healthy makes a real difference in their quality of life. Comfort Keepers wants caregivers and family members to be aware of ways to monitor the nutrition of seniors in your care. Download our nutrition fact sheet to learn more about detecting hunger and malnutrition in seniors, tips for eating on a fixed income and eating healthy to manage symptoms.

In an effort to help build awareness about senior nutrition issues, we are using the holiday season to share nutrition resources with caregivers and family members. Follow us on Twitter, visit our blog, or visit our Comfort Keepers Facebook page to learn more about stopping senior hunger.

As a caregiver or family member, you need to be on the lookout for signs and symptoms of hunger or malnutrition in older adults. Here are some ways to monitor the nutrition of seniors in your care:

  • Watch for physical problems such as poor wound healing, easy bruising and dental difficulties.
  • Keep track of weight loss which may require purchasing a home scale or transporting to the doctor’s office for weight checks when the individual is unable to stand without assistance.
  • Pay close attention to seniors’ eating habits and ask them to tell you where and when they eat, but don’t rely on self-reports alone. Since Comfort Keepers® often spend mealtimes with seniors at home, they may have a better idea of normal eating habits.
  • Suggest family members visit during mealtimes which can improve a senior’s consumption. If a senior lives alone, make sure you know who is buying his or her food.
  • Know what medications an older loved one takes and how often they can affect appetite and digestion. Use the resources available through your local retail pharmacist to check for drug nutrient interactions or possible side effects of prescribed medications.
  • If there are medical questions regarding nutrition, medication and health Comfort Keepers® suggests seniors, their family members and other caregivers speak with doctors about tests that can help identify chronic malnutrition or other nutrition-related problems.
  • You can help fight senior hunger and malnutrition by donating non-perishable food items to your local participating Comfort Keepers office. Click here to find your local office, and call for food collection dates.

To learn more about the issues of hunger and nutrition facing seniors, visit the Comfort Keepers blog. Click here >