The Connection Warren-Watchung Edition June/July/August 2018

E V E R L A S T I N G C A R E The Cemetery of Choice for Family Heritage • Glass Front Cremation Niches • Beautiful Views •Affordable Pricing 95 Mt. Airy Road Basking Ridge, NJ 07920 908.766.0522 • SHMPCEMETERY.COM Generations of Gracious Care Whether your senior parent is in a facility or aging in place at home, please be aware of the importance of nutrition and hydration in their daily routine. Although mom or dad may have been interested in meal time in the past, there is a tendency to either forget or feel meals are less important, particularly if there is no socializing around them. Think about the man or woman who always dined with a spouse, and that spouse is no longer alive or living at home, if that is the case. Getting the vital nutrients necessary to sustain good health requires foods that have the appropriate vitamins, minerals and calories. Regardless of dietary preferences in the past, the senior may flourish at this point on a balanced food plan rich in proteins, carbohydrates and fats. Perhaps for those unable to digest fresh fruits and vegetables in their natural form, juices and purees frozen and served as treats may be a great way to use creativity and make food appealing. Additionally, I am mindful of the importance not only of food, but of hydration. Seniors can dehydrate more quickly than earlier in their lives. When it is pointed out that they are dehy- drated, they will often report they didn't feel thirsty. Or our parent may say they don't want to drink because they will then need the bathroom more fre- quently. Incontinence is often another issue, so our parents may resist fluids, or tell us they aren’t interested in drinking. Left unchecked, seniors often arrive in the emergency room disori- ented and fatigued, requiring iv fluids. Of course, it is not always possible to have someone dine with our parents if they are aging in place at home. By cre- ating a schedule where from time to time, someone dines with them, makes for a more enjoyable experience. Unless there is a medical reason not to, seniors should be reminded to drink, eat three meals, have snacks and share conversation. This model works well in most of the senior facilities I have seen. It really isn’t a luxury for our parents to have mealtime a social occasion…it often makes the difference between good nutrition and poor health! NUTRITION FOR SENIORS By: Ellyn Mantell PAGE 82 Spotlight on “SeniorS” www.theconnectionsnj.com