Why Being Watchful for Signs of Malnutrition in Older Adults Matters Malnutrition is most simply defined as a nutritional imbalance that can potentially affect any person, regardless of weight. Chronic health conditions combined with inadequate nutrition can often negatively impact older adults and prevent their bodies from absorbing the nutrients they need for healthy aging. Depression; social isolation; mental health challenges; embarrassment; lack of food; functional changes that limit the ability to shop for, prepare or even eat food; and financial struggles further increase the risk for malnutrition. Read more
Tips to Prepare Your Older Loved One for Winter During the Pandemic After getting by for most of the year under the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us have been able to adapt to this new normal. However, the coming winter will reintroduce challenges not seen to the same extent since the early months of the pandemic, such as the return of cold and flu season and limited opportunities to interact in safer outdoor environments. The holiday season is also approaching, forcing all of us to consider how our usual celebrations and traditions will have to adapt to the times. Read more
Tackling Fears of Aging Alone as a Solo Ager or Elder Orphan If it has done nothing else, the COVID-19 pandemic has taught many – if not most – of us a lesson or two about social isolation and its impact on physical and emotional well-being. We were suddenly cut off from friends, co-workers and community interactions that defined the rhythm of our lives and provided predictability and connection. The pandemic caused particular concern for those living alone, as it forced many to think about who would care for them should they contract the virus. Read more
Why Won’t My Parents Just Stay Home?: Older Adults and COVID-19 Restrictions Older adults as an age group have been particularly resistant to changing their behaviors in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. So often faced with age-related limitations on what they can do, they fight back against what others tell them to do, even if it is in their best interest. Moreover, at the end of the day, they many not see themselves as high-risk because they simply do not perceive themselves as “old.” Read more
Ways to Manage Social Isolation The negative impact and detrimental effects of social isolation remain an important topic. The AARP Public Policy Institute’s 2018 study “highlighted social isolation as the new silent killer – a major risk factor for a host of conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure and early onset dementia.” AARP defines social isolation as “occur[ing] when people withdraw and become disconnected from family, friends and community” and reports, “… nearly 1 in 5 Americans 65 and older are socially isolated”. Given these startling statistics, what are ways we can reduce our risk and manage social isolation? Read more
