Did You Know?

As we age we swallow less often which can create excess saliva and drooling (this is more prevalent in Parkinson’s patients). If your loved one is on medication which causes dry mouth it usually isn’t a problem. But if not, give your loved one lemon drops, peppermints, or sugarless gum to chew. This will lead them to swallow more often.

Our stomachs shrink as we get older and therefore we don’t want to eat as much. As long as your loved one isn’t losing weight, there is probably no concern. But, if weight loss is occurring, keep on hand nutrition shakes, protein boosters and fruit for snacking.

Older people tend to drink far less than they should, so it is often a challenge to get your loved one to drink more water. Keep a thermal cup, with a top on it, filled with cold water (or room temp if that is preferred) and set it next to your loved one. As you pass by, pick up the container occasionally. You should be able to feel the difference in the cup’s weight if your loved one is drinking like he should. If not, gentle reminders throughout the day should be sufficient.

If your loved one is going through chemo, they will often lose their taste sensation. Trying to get someone to eat when all they can taste is “cardboard” is very difficult. I know I wouldn’t want to eat if that were the case, and I LOVE food! Find something they can taste—for my mother is was chocolate—and ask the doctor if they can have it whenever they want. Knowing there is something that tastes good coming later, can sometimes encourage eating the “cardboard” first. Yes, it is actually a form of bribery, but all is fair in love and caregiving! 

Men struggle with Dysphagia far more often than do women. Dysphagia is a condition wherein the muscles and nerves that help move food through the throat and esophagus are not working right. It often exhibits itself as choking or trouble swallowing. Sometimes this condition can prevent food from reaching the stomach or even cause food particles to go down into the lungs, ultimately causing pneumonia. There is a special thickener used for Dysphagia patients which encourages the food to go where it is supposed to go and keep the loved one from choking. Ask your loved one’s doctor if you suspect he is suffering from this.

Skin becomes more fragile as we age. Our skin can become almost translucent and paper thin. Always keep soothing hand cream applied to your loved one’s skin (arms and hands especially). And avoid having your loved one do anything that might tear or damage the fragile skin.

Skin can also become discolored and show prominent bruising (in particular for Coumadin patients). Keep track of the bruising and call the doctor if it increases abnormally or moves to other areas.

Remember, these are just suggestions. Always consult your loved one's doctor for unusual weight loss or gain, consumption issues, and all other health iissues. This blog is for reference only (see disclaimer below).