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The Loneliness Factor
Amazingly, the Holidays are coming up. Wasn't it just 80 degrees out the other day? We are even starting to see holiday decorations in the midst of Halloween displays! To many of us, that time of year, "THE HOLIDAYS", usually means meals and get-togethers with family. But what happens to your senior loved one in the weeks and months in between visits?
For those seniors living alone - loneliness is one of the most serious obstacles to good nutrition that they could face. In the United States, approximately 40 percent of the population age 75 and older - 6.7 million people - live alone, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. These seniors face significant socialization challenges, particularly when it comes to lack of shared mealtime experiences.
"Who likes to eat alone? Nobody," says Sandy Markwood, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging - who served as an expert source for the Home Instead Senior Care network's "Craving Companionship" program. "Meals are not just a matter of sustenance, but a social outlet," said Markwood, whose members coordinate the popular home-delivered meals program, also known as "Meals on Wheels."
The far-reaching impact of loneliness prompted the Home Instead Senior Care network to conduct a first-of-its-kind study to measure mealtime routines, challenges and preferences of seniors age 75 plus who live by themselves in their own homes or apartments.
This comprehensive study, which involved 600 interviews, provides evidence that increased opportunities for seniors to share meals with others will promote nutritional and emotional well-being. Some key findings include:
- Two of five seniors who live alone have at least four warning signs of poor nutritional health.
- One in five seniors says he/she sometimes or most of the time feels lonely when eating alone.
- 76% of these seniors eat alone most of the time.
- The biggest mealtime challenge for older people living alone is lack of the shared family experience, including lack of companionship.
- A majority of seniors who live alone say they eat more nutritiously and the food actually tastes better when eating with others.
- For seniors who live alone mealtimes last twice as long when shared with others.
- More than 3/4 of seniors say they wished their families shared more meals together.
- The most common obstacle preventing these seniors sharing more meals with others is that their family and friends don't have enough time.
As a result of this study, the Home Instead Senior Care network launched the "Craving Companionship" program to encourage extended families to bring back the family meal for the benefit of their seniors, especially for those who live alone.
10 Senior Mealtime Challenges
1. Lack of companionship during mealtimes (62%)
Tip: If you can't be there to dine regularly, look for alternative options such as friends, neighbors, the local senior center and even Home Instead resources.
2. Cooking for one (60%)
Tip: Freeze leftovers including sliced and seeded fruit in plastic containers or freezer bags. Buy your senior healthier low-sodium dinners for one.
3. Eating nutritious meals (56%)
Tip: Buy fresh when possible or frozen foods including vegetables and fruits. Go to Farmer's Markets when in season and help your senior plant a garden.
4. Grocery shopping for one (56%)
Tip: Transportation can be a big issue for seniors. Contact your local Senior Center, Council on Aging or Home Instead office and encourage your senior to engage neighborhood support systems when possible.
5. Eating three meals a day (49%)
Tip: So many seniors are on prescription medications that must be taken with or without food. Coordinate the food plan with the medication plan. "Remember, Dad, to take this pill when you're eating oatmeal for breakfast."
6. High expense of cooking for one (45%)
Tip: Encourage shared meals when possible - your older loved one will get the benefit of reduced costs of meals as well as companionship. Most of the local senior centers offer affordable meals for older adults as well as the home-delivered meals program, known as "Meals On Wheels."
7. Relying too much on convenience food (43%)
Tip: Encourage your senior to meet with a nutritionist or talk to their doctor to learn how to read labels. So many older adults don't know the foods that are good and bad for them.
8. Loss of appetite (41%)
Tip: Help seniors make meal time an event, which can make dining more appealing. Pull out a favorite recipe, help them prepare the meal, use the good dishes and decorate the table.
9. Eating too much food (38%)
Tip: The bigger issue is eating too much of the wrong types of food. If your helping an older loved one with a shopping list or grocery shopping, encourage healthier choices.
10. Eating too little food (35%)
Tip: Plan a trip to a favorite restaurant for a special dish. If lack of food is an on-going problem, check with your senior's doctor to learn about supplemental products that ensure proper nutrition.
Learn more about the Craving Companionship program at www.mealsandcompanionship.com
For more information about this and other senior issues related to health and well being please visit our website:
www.hearthside-homeinstead.com
Home Instead Senior Care:
Trusted Care for the Senior You Care For
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