Difficulty swallowing- commonly known as dysphagia- is a condition that affects approximately 15 percent of elderly adults. Dysphagia is the inability to easily pass food or liquids from the mouth, into the throat, and into the esophagus to the stomach during the process of swallowing. If your elderly loved one is showing signs of having difficulty swallowing, we will be discussing what it means and options for managing symptoms.   What is Dysphagia? While the act of swallowing seems simple and almost mindless, the process actually involves almost 50 different muscles and nerves to move f ..read more

Most people watch their calories, sugar and salt intake and make sure they are eating enough fruits and vegetables, but do not always ensure they are getting adequate protein in their diet. Protein keeps us fuller longer, speeds up the metabolism and helps the body build and maintain muscle.  Proteins help your body repair, and are also essential as an energy source- which is why it’s critical that we get enough protein from high-quality food sources. Recent studies have shown that 1 in 3 adults over the age of 50 are lacking in getting enough protein- which can say a lot about their over ..read more

Today, food intolerance and food allergy are two terms that are often used interchangeably. A food sensitivity takes place in the digestive system, while a true food allergy is an immune response.  While some symptoms of food intolerance and an allergy are similar, it is important to understand the differences between the two.   What is a food allergy, anyway? Allergies are classified as an overreaction of the body’s immune system to certain proteins. Most commonly, foods that contain gluten, nuts, fish, shellfish, eggs, certain fruits or vegetables or even food dyes. If someone is t ..read more

There is no denying that a healthy diet is vital to our overall health. Particularly after a hospital stay, proper nutrition is incredibly important during the healing process and can often be the difference maker in preventing our loved ones from returning to the hospital in the future. A nutrient-lacking diet is the number one cause of poor health in the United States, and for seniors, health problems caused by malnourishment or lack of nutrients can be even more severe. Malnutrition contributes to higher infection rates, muscle weakness, brain fog and impaired wound healing. When our loved ..read more

Throughout history, herbs and spices have been used all over the world- not just to make our food taste flavorful, but many of them have been long celebrated for their medicinal properties. Before modern medicine, communities and civilizations used resources derived from nature to promote healing and overall well-being- everything from healing wounds to preventing and treating illness. Here are 7 commonly used herbs and spices, supported by research, with surprising health benefits!   Cinnamon Cinnamon provides a myriad of health benefits as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic ..read more

Today, consumers are becoming more health conscious which means we are paying closer attention to what is in our food. Nutrition and ingredient information on food labels help us know exactly what is in the food product and how much, however, sometimes these labels can be deceiving or difficult to understand. As a consumer, it is important to understand how to read these labels to make the healthiest and informed decision about which food products to purchase. In this article, we will discuss the types of information that may be printed on food labels and provide tips on how to interpret that ..read more

Malnutrition in the elderly is an underrecognized condition that is becoming increasingly more prevalent as the aging population increases. The term “malnutrition” means a deficiency in nutrition that causes adverse effects on the body and inhibits us from functioning at a normal level. While malnutrition is harmful at any age, seniors are affected especially hard- it makes them more susceptible to a weakened immune system, injury, possible hospitalizations and poor physical and mental health. Malnutrition can be caused by multiple factors, including loss of appetite, lack of motivation to coo ..read more

As our loved-one’s age, it provokes an inevitable conversation: “How can we help mom and dad during this chapter of their lives?” This can be a complicated situation as an adult child because you want to do what is in the best interest of your aging parent, but also accommodate their wishes. Adult children often worry about their ability to drive, run errands, cook for themselves or even worry about their loved one feeling lonely or isolated living at home. However, according to the AARP, 87% of adults over the age of 65 wish to stay in their current home as they age. Recent events may even ha ..read more

Going “gluten-free” has become one of the most buzzed-about diets- but many of us find ourselves asking, what does it mean and how do you get started? Gluten is a family of proteins found in wheat, barley, rye and spelt. It is most prevalent in food products like bread, pasta, baked goods and crackers but can also be found in foods like soy sauce and chicken broth. It is said that 1 percent of people around the world have Celiac Disease (which is a chronic digestive and immune disorder that is triggered by eating foods that contain gluten), but an estimated 18 million Americans suffer from a g ..read more

If you are caring for an elderly loved one, you may have noticed some changes in their eating patterns. Eating less, eating the wrong kinds of foods, and a lack of motivation to cook, are some of the most common things the caregiver can observe over time. They may be struggling with an illness or condition that prohibits them from standing on their feet for too long, or they have dietary restrictions that make it difficult to accommodate. Whatever the case may be- this is an increasingly significant issue, because we know how important nutrition is as we age and how what we eat and how much af ..read more