You may know that food poisoning is caused when you consume food that has either not been properly prepared or has been contaminated by harmful organisms like as bacteria and viruses. While food poisoning may cause you to suffer some gastrointestinal distress for a few days, it can be a very serious health issue for elderly adults. Because age weakens the immune system anyhow, seniors often can’t fight off infections from organisms that cause food poisoning. If you are a family caregiver that is responsible for a vulnerable elderly relative, you need to take every step possible to prevent food poisoning.
The symptoms of food poisoning include fever, nausea, vomiting, cramps, diarrhea, and chills.
Symptoms may show up in seniors after an hour of eating tainted food, or it can take up to a day or two. The most common symptoms are diarrhea and vomiting. While on their own, they don’t seem to be so serious. However, diarrhea and vomiting from food poisoning is usually fast and violent. This means that seniors lose a lot of body fluid in a short amount of time. If those fluids are not replaced via drinks, broth and more, elderly people can quickly become dehydrated. In seniors, severe dehydration can mean a trip to the hospital. In some cases, it can be fatal.
When family caregivers suspect that their elderly relative has food poisoning, they should make an appointment with their doctor. Along with medication, the doctor will advise on how to ensure that their aging patient is getting all they need to recover. Caregivers and elderly care aides can implement the doctor’s instructions so that the senior can recover as quickly as possible.
There are several things that family caregivers and elderly care aides can do to prevent food poisoning in aging adults.
- First, they should ensure that their hands are washed before handling kitchen utensils or food.
- They should always wash their hands after using the bathroom as well.
- Food should always be fully cooked to a safe temperature, at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
- When preparing meals in the kitchen, caregivers and aides should ensure that raw meat and fish should never touch other foods or surfaces because of cross-contamination.
- In addition, all veggies and fruits should be washed well with clean and cold water.
- Seniors should also avoid food that commonly harbors organisms such as raw eggs, packages with broken seals, cans with bulges or dents and soft cheeses.
Elderly adults are at the highest risk to develop food poisoning and they are also most likely to suffer severe health consequences. Family caregivers and elderly care aides can help the elderly adult avoid common causes of food poisoning. As they notice the symptoms of food poisoning, they can make arrangements for the elderly person to get treatment from their doctor. With early intervention, seniors can expect to make a full recovery.
Source: https://www.nursingtimes.net/news/behind-the-headlines-archive/food-poisoning-on-the-rise-in-elderly/5003070.article#
If you or an aging loved one are considering Elderly Care Services in Wellesley MA, or anywhere in Eastern Massachusetts, please call the caring staff at CARE Resolutions – (508) 906-5572.
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