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Archive for the ‘Health & Wellness’ Category

Credits to: Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University

Dot’s Thot: Eating is fundamental to health and seniors need to pay special attention. Caregivers and loved ones need to learn to serve their needs in a most thoughtful way. Here are some suggestions we can all use.

Overcoming Barriers to Eating For Seniors
By Lu Young

As we age, many factors interfere with proper nutrition.

- Can’t chew.
- Upset stomach
- Can’t shop.
- Can’t cook.
- No appetite.
- Short on money.

Eating well is important. You can overcome these barriers.

Problem – Can’t Chew

Trouble with chewing is a common problem of many seniors. Meats may feel tough and difficult to get down.

Solution

Try fruit or vegetable juices, Canned fruits that are soft (peaches, pears, or applesauce), Mashed vegetables (potatoes or carrots are good examples), Creamed vegetables in soups (potato soup, cream of broccoli soup), Ground meats (gravy makes these go down easier), Alternate proteins (eggs, bean soup, milk, cheese), and Creamed fruits (mix softer fruits with yogurt or cottage cheese).

Problem – Upset stomach

Excess gas and a sensitive stomach may keep you away from some foods you identify as problems (and these are often your favorites).

Solution

Try other foods like milk or creamed soups. Also you might wish to try foods that you have never tried before. Be sure to include adequate protein. This is often lacking in people with stomach upset. See your health care provider if your problem continues.

Problem – Can’t Shop

You may be less mobile than you used to be. Perhaps you don’t drive any longer. You may be unable to stand or walk around much.

Solution

Some grocery stores deliver. Call around. Some may do it for free. Ask members of your church to help. Some are just waiting for the opportunity to be helpful and do your grocery shopping for you. Ask your minister or pastor. Sometimes they will know of volunteer groups that may do your shopping. Ask your family or neighbors. Ask your health care provider. You may be eligible for home health services. Many of them can do your shopping.

Problem – Can’t cook

You may have trouble standing at the stove or holding the utensils. Cooking may seem like too much trouble.

Solution

Try using a microwave oven. You can now cook TV dinners, pizza, vegetables and a large variety of foods there. Check the yellow pages for meals on wheels or delivery through a senior center. Ask family members or friends to help you.

Problem – No appetite

Sometimes cooking for one person just makes you lose your appetite. You may feel lonely. Some medicines may make food tasty funny or strange.

Solution

Go to the local senior center to eat. Check with your health care provider. Ask about your medications and food flavor. Spice it up a bit. Add additional spices. Try new spices. Visit friends and family for meals. Shared meals offer companionship and allow you to share gossip as well as food.

Problem – Just Don’t Have The Money

Solution

Look in the ads for foods on sale. Buy staples such as dried beans, rice, and pasta. Use coupons. Or join a coupon exchange to find coupons on foods that you normally eat. Try generic or store brand foods. Eat at the local senior center. See if you are eligible for food stamps.

Eating well at any age is important to your overall health. Try these solutions to correct your problems.

Thank you for reading my article.

Can you please help me? I have written over 50 articles for various online publications. Can you help me make money with this talent?

I have a website – http://www.bostonterrierville.com or you can email me at LuYoungRN@yahoo.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lu_Young
http://EzineArticles.com/?Overcoming-Barriers-to-Eating-For-Seniors&id=2798909

Hope this Article helps some of you out there.  Aloha, Dot

P.S.  I am thinking of writing up some recipes for seniors who still enjoy eating, but may want something softer to chew.

Related Articles and References:

• Modified MyPyramid for Older Adults (Tufts University)
• Here is one of the softest greens for chewing:  Cooking in Hawaii:  Manoa Lettuce, My Favorite Salad Greens
• Fish is another soft option:  Cooking in Hawaii:  Ahi Sashimi with Shiso, Chili Pepper, and Shoyu

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Restless Nights

Here’s a nifty book for all of us with sleep apnea or snoring problems.  I found this over on NoSnoreNorApnea.com which has a ton of sleep aid products and books and dvds about sleep disorders and treatment options.  I’ve always read that if you want the best advice you should talk to your doctor, and I agree.  But if you’re interested, theres lots of material out there to read and watch.

From NoSnoreNorApnea.com:

Author: Prof. Peretz Lavie
List Price: $30.00
You save: USD 19.07 (63%)
Buy new: $10.93
Buy used: $0.96
Avg.Rating:
(8 reviews)
Sales rank: 740241

Editorial Reviews:

This title is useful for people who snore. People with severe sleep apnea may struggle for breath all through the night, not breathing for as long as 90 seconds at a time during their sleep. This syndrome, which affects at least four percent of men and two percent of women, can cause daytime fatigue, traffic and work accidents, deteriorating cognitive abilities, and cardiovascular problems. In this book Peretz Lavie, an expert in sleep research, provides an accessible discussion of the history, physiology, and risk factors of sleep apnea.

One High and One Low Review:

An outstanding book! Jun 01, 2004Restless Nights is a wonderful book. It takes a serious medical subject, sleep apnea, and explains it in a way that is both intriguing and fascinating. The book is a comprehensive yet readable explanation of this potentially serious medical problem, as well as its many serious health and quality-of-life consequences.
Like his earlier book, The Enchanted World of Sleep, (which I found also a captivating read), Restless Nights explains the science of the syndrome, the most current research, implications for public health (such as its impact on transportation safety, work and general quality of life), and proposals for reform of treatment approaches. Most importantly, Lavie discusses the syndrome in the larger context of its impact on general health, particularly cardiovascular disease.
The layperson will find this book readable and engrossing-Lavie’s style interweaves scientific information with practical examples, including his historical and literary survey of sleep apnea. Remember Joe from Charles Dickens’ The Pickwick Papers?
The medical professional will also find this book must reading. Recent research-some of it performed and published by Lavie and his Technion colleagues-is beginning to shed light on the connections between sleep apnea and general health.
Lavie is particularly well-qualified to write this book. According to the book, he has helped establish and administer sleep research and treatment centers on several continents, including a group of clinics at major hospitals affiliated with Harvard. He is the past Dean of the Medical Faculty of the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology. I also know from my past reading that Lavie has also been among the pioneers and leading researchers in sleep medicine for the past quarter century.
I recommend this book highly.

sleep apnea Sep 24, 2007I have been diagnosed with apnea and use a CPAP. I bought four books to gain a deeper insight into my condition. While informative this book does not cover the subject nearly as well as Sleep Apnea – Phantom of the Night. I would not recommend purchase of this book. In fact this was the least helpful.

Fundamental Yoga Equipment:  a Good, Thick Yoga Mat
The most fundamental item needed in the practice of yoga is a good, thick yoga mat to make it easier to hold restorative poses. A good mat will cushion your body as you stretch and exercise, as well as help you to avoid slipping as you learn.

Here is an extra thick yoga mat that has been reviewed many times. This mat is 6 feet long by 2 feet wide.Many people give a very positive yoga mat review to this product (140 reviews averaging 4 stars) and it is a top seller.  The extra comfort is a big positive, especially as we age. Read the rest of this entry »