What Types of Foods Might Be Dangerous for Your Aging Adult?
Food is something your elderly family member has to have, but it needs to be the right foods. Certain types of foods can actually be dangerous for your senior the older that she gets. These are just a few of the foods that your elderly family member might need to avoid.
Home Care Drexel Hill PA – What Types of Foods Might Be Dangerous for Your Aging Adult?
Raw or Undercooked Meats and Fish
Undercooked or raw fish and meats can be tasty, but that doesn’t mean that they’re a good choice for your aging adult. If your senior has a compromised immune system or has difficulty digesting foods, then eating undercooked meats can allow bacteria to attack her body.
Smoked Fish or Meat
Smoked meat and fish are perfectly preserved for eating, but they can present the same problem for your elderly family member as undercooked meats and fish can. Cooking these foods to an internal temperature of over 160 degrees Fahrenheit or simply avoiding them helps to avoid these issues.
Raw Milk
Raw milk is milk that hasn’t been pasteurized. Pasteurization is important because it kills germs that naturally occur in the milk. Since the bacteria that occurs in milk varies from one batch to another, your senior might think that since she’s never gotten sick from it before, it’s still okay. But the next sip could be the one that makes her extremely ill.
Undercooked or Raw Eggs
The same problem that exists with undercooked meats and unpasteurized milk also exists with eggs. There’s a specific bacteria, salmonella, in eggs that can make your senior extremely ill. Breakfast favorites like soft-boiled eggs might need to come off the menu for your aging adult, especially if she’s got a compromised immune system.
Underwashed fruits and vegetables
It might seem as if a quick rinse under running water is enough for most fruits and vegetables, but that can be a big risk. Making a vegetable rinse at home is simple and non-toxic if you use the right ingredients. A little bit of vinegar and baking soda in a large bowl of fresh water makes an excellent produce rinse.
Be sure to let home care providers and other people who help your aging family member with meals know what foods are ones that she should avoid.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care Services in Drexel Hill PA, please contact the caring staff at True Direct Home Health Care today.
Doc, as he is called by everyone - staff, patients and clients - first experienced home health care and hospice care while as a colleg student at King's College as he cared for his mother every day while she first battled COPD and then lung cancer. It was during this time that he came to understand that caring for a patient was more than just clinical expertise.
"Admittedly, my strongest attribute is my communication skills and the simple fact that I love to help people. Even the smallest thing you can do for someone really can mean so much to them long term. In fact, it could change them forever. That's what providing quality personal home health care should be all about."
In his spare time, he cooks for homeless shelters and children's music and arts events. He also is highly involved in his local youth sports soccer academy as a coach and Board member.
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