Do you know a senior mom who’s hungry on Valentine’s Day?

Barb Anderson, founder of Mom's Meals, and her mom

By Rita R. Robison

Valentine’s Day can be a lonely holiday for many seniors.

Instead of giving chocolate this year, you may want to consider giving your aging parent or relative a gift that could make a difference on a daily basis – nutritious meals, says Mom’s Meals, a company that offers meals delivered to the home by FedEx.

It’s startling that:

• Poor nutrition and malnutrition occur in 15 to 50 percent of the elderly population. About 2,000 to 3,000 seniors die from malnutrition annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
• More than five million older Americans are at risk of hunger, and each day millions of older adults have to choose between buying groceries and the medications they need.
• Americans 75 years of age and older have a 40 percent rate of being underweight. Underweight people are 40 percent more likely to die in the first month after than patients who are overweight, according to a study in the Archives of Surgery.

Obesity in America is getting a lot of attention. However, hunger and nutrition issues among seniors don’t get much coverage. It may be a good idea to check out what’s in the refrigerator of your elderly loved ones and see what can be done to help out.

Copyright 2012, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Comments

[Ann alka WorkingBoomer]

I really agree with this. I have an older sister that says she does not want to gain weight. She is almost 80 with dementia. She is in fear of money and cuts on her grocery bill. I know that she eats when I am around. Food is a great gift. Good story that can be used any time.