Would you know if your older family member was getting enough to eat?
If you’re a long-distance caregiver, it’s possible you wouldn’t. In fact, even caregivers who live near the seniors they care for may not know if the older adult is going hungry. After all, many seniors are too proud to admit their finances aren’t stretching far enough. If your older family member is having trouble getting enough to eat, according to new research, they aren’t alone.
Hunger in Older Adults More Prevalent Than You May Think
In a study conducted by researchers at Northeastern University in Boston, the results showed that as many as 4 out of 10 people who are aged 65 or older don’t have enough food to eat. The study used information gathered in a Medicare survey with about 10,000 respondents. The survey responses showed that just a little over 9 percent of seniors were victims of food insecurity.
Researchers found that there were a few factors that increased the chances of an older adult having difficulty accessing enough food. Some of the factors were:
- Having an income of less than $15,000 per year.
- Four or more chronic illnesses.
- Anxiety.
- Depression.
Experts say that food insecurity is something that can creep up on older adults, making it harder for family caregivers to notice it. It can be the result of money running out or because the senior is having difficulty getting to the grocery store or cooking for themselves.
Tips to Help Seniors Save Money on Groceries
If an older adult is having difficulty purchasing food because of low finances, one way family caregivers can help is by sharing some tips with them for saving money on groceries. The tips below come from financial expert Dave Ramsey.
-Carry a Calculator: Using a calculator while shopping can help older adults and caregivers to stick to the budget. This can help with sticking to the grocery list and prevent the senior from picking up unnecessary items.
-Use Up What’s in the Pantry: Before planning meals for the week, peruse through the cupboards and refrigerator. Plan meals around stuff that’s already there instead of purchasing more. That ensures foods get used up before they go bad, which saves money in turn.
-Freeze Meals: Cooking larger quantities of food and freezing them for use later saves money by avoiding food waste. It also allows seniors and caregivers to purchase some foods in bulk, which may be cheaper.
-Buy Only What is Needed: It can be tempting to purchase foods that are marked as “2 for” or “4 for.” However, don’t purchase multiples of an item just because of a sale. Get it only if the senior needs it and will use it.
Caregivers should also check into whether their older family member qualifies for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). It’s a government program that is aimed at helping to end hunger in the United States. To learn more about the SNAP program, go to benefits.gov and use the search tool to search “SNAP.”
For more information about hiring Caregiver in Pacific Beach, CA, call the friendly caregivers at La Jolla Nurses Homecare who can help your aging parents remain in their own homes, at 858-454-9339. We are a home care agency providing quality and affordable senior care in La Jolla, CA, and the surrounding communities.
Sources
Webmd.com
Daveramsey.com
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