Month: December 2015

4 Key Steps to Help You Prevent Arthritis

Posted on by Martin

Arthritis is the most common disability in America and has been since the year 2000. Arthritis affects nearly 50% of people by age 85 and the rates are especially high for people who are overweight or have previous injuries.

Roughly 52.5 million people in the United States have some form of arthritis currently and by 2030 that number is projected to jump to over 67 million. Although it is rare, arthritis is not limited to older people: 294,000 children younger than 18 have some form of arthritis.

With those numbers in mind, it’s no secret that one of the most common difficulties of aging is arthritis. As people age, arthritis can set in and rob individuals of mobility and function, while also creating considerable pain and suffering. Fortunately, there are many ways to prevent arthritis and stay comfortable and healthy throughout your older years.

Arthritic Risk Factors

There are currently over 100 types of arthritis and all of them have a unique series of risk factors. Females are more prone to arthritis than men and a family history of arthritis raises the likelihood of developing the condition considerably. That said, many risk factors are completely modifiable and just because an individual is female or because there is a family history of arthritis does not mean that that individual will suffer from arthritis. There are many behaviors and preventive measures that can help you avoid arthritis, such as maintaining a healthy weight, eating a good diet, and not smoking.

Additionally, people who have had fewer sports injuries or surgeries are at lower risk of arthritis. Although true prevention is currently believed to be impossible, here are the things that can help reduce the risk of arthritis.

1) Maintaining a Healthy Weight

For people who are at a healthy weight, maintaining that weight may be one of the biggest factors in avoiding certain types of arthritis. When people are overweight, it puts excess strain on the weight-bearing joints and creates excess wear on delicate body mechanisms. Obese women are 4x as likely as women of a healthy weight to struggle with arthritis. Fortunately, weight loss of just 5% of an obese person’s total body weight can go a long way toward decreasing joint stress and can actually cut the risk of arthritis by 50%.

2) Exercising Often

When it comes to bone mass, it’s a “use it or lose it” kind of game. When the bones are not used for weight-bearing activities like walking, they slowly lose density, which is accompanied by weakening muscle mass and atrophy. These things increase the risk for arthritis and associated breaks and fractures. Exercises like isometric moves or walking can be fantastic for building and maintaining bone strength. Those already suffering from arthritis symptoms may find these activities painful, however, and may prefer activities like bicycling or swimming. Even if you already have arthritis, exercise is still important: according to the CDC, when adults with arthritis engage in moderate levels of physical activity three times or more per week, they can reduce the risk of increased pain and disability by 47%.

3) Avoid injuries and have existing ones treated immediately

If you’re one of the many people who suffered a joint injury during your younger days, you may be at increased risk for developing arthritis as you age. This is due to the fact that injuries to joints put joints at greater risk for stress, strain, and breakdown later. In fact, people who have injured their knees are three times more likely to suffer from arthritis in the injured knee later in life.

This statistic goes up if you have injured your joints as an adult. To avoid injuries, insure proper position when working out or lifting heavy objects, land with your knees bent if you need to jump, warm up and cool down after exercise, and always wear proper shoes when running or walking. If you have an existing joint injury, it is important to have it treated fully as soon as possible.

4) Eat a well-rounded diet

Although there is no designated diet that can completely prevent arthritis, there are certain nutrients that can help avoid it or reduce its severity. These nutrients are as follows:

  • Omega-3s: omega-3 fatty acids are found in high levels in fish oil, and plant and nut oils. These nutrients reduce inflammation and lubricate the joints as they move, cutting down on the friction that leads to the development or worsening of arthritis.
  • Vitamin C: Vitamin C can dramatically reduce the progression of arthritis if taken in doses of 120-200 milligrams per day. Vitamin C is present in green peppers, citrus fruits, tomatoes, broccoli, leafy greens, whit potatoes, melons, and strawberries. Talk to your doctor about having your vitamin C levels tested and supplementing with an over the counter vitamin C supplement if needed.
  • Vitamin D: Vitamin D has been shown to slow the progression of arthritis and help fortify bones to prevent fractures and breaks. Vitamin D is found in fatty fish, milk, cereal, and eggs. In sunny weather, vitamin D can be absorbed through sunlight but those who live in cloudy climates may need to supplement during the winter.

Preventing Arthritis 101: Why you Should Treat Symptoms Early

If you’ve been suffering from pain, stiffness, swelling, or loss of mobility in a joint for two weeks or more, seek your doctor as soon as possible. While these symptoms may seem small, they can be warning signs of arthritis and, if left untreated, can easily turn to full-blown arthritis very quickly.

While arthritis may not be completely preventable, it can be treated much easier with early diagnosis and treatment. This is because early treatment minimizes damage to joints. As arthritis progresses, damage to joints becomes more pronounced and, as the damage goes on, it becomes harder and harder to treat.

That said, those who receive treatment for arthritis early will have better outcomes and will likely be able to maintain more mobility.

Conclusion

While there is no way to prevent arthritis entirely, the above tips can help decrease your risk of developing arthritis wile also helping to stave off symptoms. In the event that arthritis is already established, there are several treatment options available. Pain relieving medications like NSAIDs or acetaminophen may be helpful and, in severe cases, some doctors may prescribe an antidepressant to help cope with musculoskeletal pain.

If you believe that you or a loved one may be suffering from arthritis, it’s wise to visit your doctor as soon as possible. Early treatment can help avoid joint pain and damage and help reverse certain symptoms. While you may not be able to completely prevent arthritis, these tips can help you reverse symptoms and cope with pain. While arthritis is a very common condition, it doesn’t have to decrease your quality of life as you age.

13 Easy Ways To Help Fight Off A Cold

Posted on by Martin

The Cold and flu are mostly harmless medical conditions which are not considered as serious illnesses, but they are also one of the top productivity killing health conditions due to the amount of rest required and almost a week long symptoms. The cold is mostly seasonal (winter) and viral, so antibiotics are of no use which is also a good sign. The good news is, there are very easy and simple remedies as well as precautions that can not only help fight off a cold, but can also keep it at a safe distance. Listed are some very simple remedies and precautions that can really help.

1. Build a Stronger Immune System

The best defense against a viral disease like cold and flu is a stronger immune. If your immune system can attack the virus and win over it, you are safe. So the logical step when you are getting into the winter is to take some immune-building nutrition like vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, selenium, iodine and zinc. Out of these, Vitamin C is well known for its cold-preventing properties.

All the listed nutrients and vitamins are immune-boosting and can prepare your immune system to counter the upcoming viral attack. You can find multiple supplements in the market with these immune boosting nutrients.

2. Wash, wash and wash…

Well, this is common knowledge, but let us restate it again. Studies claim that washing hands frequently can significantly decrease the risk of contracting cold & flu. Make it a habit to wash your hands whenever you are exposed to a place with a lot of people. Wash your hands at least 5 times a day especially before and after the meal.

3. Add Ginger Tea to Your Daily Diet

Adding 2 to 6 cups of ginger tea to your daily diet can not only help in preventing cold & flu, but if you have already contracted cold, it can help in limiting the duration of sickness. This is due to the anti-viral properties of ginger and its immune-boosting micro-nutrients. You can also add more ginger as an ingredient in your food.

4. Use Herbs

Use of herbs is a top and most commonly used natural remedy around the world. Herbs are also a common alternative medicine in Chinese and other South East Asian cultures for centuries. If you are not comfortable with using supplements for immune boosting nutrition, a great alternate is to use herbs that are known for building a stronger immune. A mixture of herbs like astragalus, rhodiola and cordyceps can do wonders in prevention as well as to heal you faster.

If you have already contracted cold, you can choose other anti-viral herbs like red root, licorice, isatis, and lomatium.

5. Pick up the Symptoms Early

Detecting symptoms early can make a lot of difference to the severity of the cold & flu. As soon as you contracted the virus, symptoms appear immediately. Research shows that the counter measures within 12 hours of contraction can cure cold quickly. Common symptoms are runny nose, body ache, cough, mild temperature, congestion, sore throat and fatigue.

6. Vitamin C

We have already discussed that Vitamin C is good for cold-prevention, but it can also effectively shorten the duration of a cold. If you are suffering from cold, drink orange juice which is full of Vitamin C. Other food sources of vitamin C include leafy green vegetables, strawberries and kiwis. If you are taking supplements, make sure to follow the recommended daily dosages published by National Institute of Health that are 75 mg for women and 90 mg for men.

7. Keep Warm

While you are resting, make sure to keep warm and use blankets or turn up your thermostat a little. Warmth can also keep your body in relaxed state and will help you with rest.

8. Increase the Use of Fluids

Keeping yourself warm often means sweating along with runny nose if you have already contracted the cold virus. To counter the dehydration, make sure you are drinking lots of fluids. Dehydration can increase the severity of the cold virus and also make your sore throat dry making it more painful. Fluids like orange juice, watery fruits and vegetables, soups, teas and plain water, all work great in countering cold virus.

9. Steam Treatments and Hot Shower

Steam treatments and standing under the hot shower can help loosens mucus and provide a relief to dry nasal passage. It is also one of the oldest but effective cold treatments in the books. For sinus-clearing, give yourself a steam facial by covering your head with towel and putting a hot water bowl under your face. Let the steam get into your nasal passage to help relax the nasal passage.

Taking hot shower is also a nice treatment. Many people avoid bath during cold, but it is an effective way to clear a cold quickly. Make sure to let the hot water run for sometime before getting under the shower to build more steam. It not only helps in decongestion, it provides your body with required heat and relaxation. Make sure to dry yourself thoroughly including your hair before leaving bathroom.

10. Gargle with Salt Water

This is another common and among the oldest treatments for sore throat, and still very effective. During cold, dry and itchy throat is the most irritating symptom for many. Gargle with salt water provides an effective relief due to antiseptic properties of salt while water hydrates the throat. Make sure to gargle with the salt water 4 times a day. Add little baking soda to the solution if you find the taste unpleasant but do not swallow.

11. Eat Honey

Honey also has excellent anti-viral properties and immune boosting nutrients. It can also provide soothing effect to the itchy and dry throat. You can add a spoon of honey to your daily diet, or for more effectiveness, dissolve it in a hot cup of tea or water.

12. Rest

Many studies claimed that rest can limit the duration of cold if you have already contracted it. In fact, it is rated as a better cure than many anti viral medicines or other natural remedies. The simple science behind this belief is that your body needs a lot of energy to fight off virus, and by providing rest to your body, all the energy is directed towards fighting the virus. Make sure to get a proper rest if you don’t want to keep cold for a long time.

13. When Do You Need to See a Doctor?

In most cases, you can deal with cold & flu on your own following simple precautionary measures or natural remedies, but in some cases, it is advised to visit a doctor. While mild temperature is normal, but suffering from 101 degrees for more than 3 days is alarming. You also need to visit doctor if your temperature rises above 103 or you suffer with earache, bloody mucus, shortness of breath and if the symptoms lasts more than 7 days.

 

 

 

The Toughest Conversation You’ll Have With Your Children

Posted on by Martin

 

In every child’s life, there comes a time when a grandparent or relative will become ill and die. While these events are difficult and sad for children, it is very damaging to hide the reality of these events from kids. Part of this is due to the fact that, several generations ago, dying was often managed within the home. Children were present to witness the illness and death of their relatives and loved ones and, as such, they were able to regard sickness and death as a natural cycle.

Nowadays, however, elderly people generally become sick and die in nursing homes and assisted living facilities and, because children witness much less of the process, they often feel an acute sense of loss or betrayal when a loved one dies. While losing a relative is never easy, not talking to children about sickness and death in advance can confuse and frighten children, coloring their perception of death for life.

Here are some tips for how to help children cope with an impending death in the family.

Be Open About Death

While it’s never easy to confront the reality of a relative’s dementia or illness, it is important to be up-front with children from the beginning. This means that the subject of sickness and death should not be avoided or dressed up in euphemisms, but should be confronted directly. One helpful way to do this is to talk about death where it is present in everyday life. Examples of this include the way that the garden dies in the fall or a dead insect in the house.

You can explain to the child that death means that life has ended and that everything dies, eventually. Keep in mind that death is a complex subject and that it will take many such talks for the child to fully absorb the concept. Keep at it, however, and eventually the child will come to regard the process as normal and will be much less fearful about it.

If a relative or grandparent receives a serious diagnosis and it is clear that the person is going to die, tell the child in advance. This does two things: first, it allows the child time to process the impending death and ask questions. Second, it prevents you from revealing the diagnosis at a time when you are grief-stricken and may scare the child. Once you’ve made it clear to the child that the loved one will die, it is important to schedule some time to visit the ill person and to allow the child special time with his or her loved one. This will help the child accept the process and will create memories that both parties will cherish.

Answer Even the Most Difficult Questions

Children are inquisitive and when they learn that a loved one is sick or dying, they will have questions. It is important to answer these questions without becoming distressed or annoyed and it is especially important to answer them honestly. Some of these questions, like “Where will Grandpa go when he dies?”, will be difficult to answer and will depend on your family’s personal belief system.

No matter how you choose to answer, however, it is important to avoid being dishonest with the child or telling the child some dressed-up version of the truth (that Grandpa is going on a long vacation, for example). While this may help comfort the child in the immediate short-term, it will most likely lead to substantial confusion about death in the long-run. If you don’t know the answer to certain questions or you are uncomfortable answering the child’s questions, you can set the child up with a grief counselor who works specifically with kids, read children’s books on death and dying, or ask a doctor to talk to your child about the reality of the loved one’s condition.

Help the Child Honor the Loved One

If it is clear that a grandparent or relative is going to die soon, one great way to help a child cope is to create a “legacy project.” These projects can be photo albums or poster boards that feature photos of the loved one. Encourage the child to draw pictures and add his or her own special memories to the board. If it is appropriate, the ill individual can help create their own legacy project, telling stories and rehashing memories throughout the experience. If possible, take some pictures of this time and frame one for the child’s room – it will be a special memory for the child for years to come.

Encourage the Child to Express Him or Herself However Possible

Young children don’t have extensive vocabularies and they often have trouble processing and expressing grief. This means they may have an easier time processing their feelings through pictures or in writing. Be patient with the child and be careful not to put up barriers that will forbid certain forms of expression. If the child is acting out in aggression or bouts of deep sadness, inform the child’s teacher and other adults in his or her life in order to provide the child with the support he or she needs.

In extreme cases, it may be wise to hire a grief counselor to help the child cope with the process, especially if the child and the ill individual were very close. While children grieve, they may act differently or become sad, angry, or quiet. It is important during these times to be gentle with the child, to accept his or her process, and to allow the child to grieve in the way he or she is able to at that moment.

Explain Symptoms

Often, ill people exhibit physical symptoms that will be obvious to children. For example, if a loved one has cancer and has lost a great deal of weight or is undergoing chemotherapy and has lost all of his or her hair, it is important to explain these symptoms to children so they don’t become startled by the sudden change in their loved one.

If the loved one has obvious symptoms, keep visits short and ensure that children are not allowed to witness all aspects of the illness. While it is fine to spend some time with grandmother and ask questions about where her hair is gone, the child may need to leave the room if grandmother becomes ill and is vomiting or is undergoing extreme pain. These things are a reality of chronic illness but may be too upsetting for children to bear.

Talk About What Happens After Death

If your child asks where their loved one will be after they die, it is fine to explain some of the post-death procedures. For example, you can tell the child that their grandparent will be buried in the local cemetery and that you can go visit the grave, bringing flowers and cookies. If the ill person is married, telling the child that the surviving spouse will need lots of love and care after the ill person dies may help the child direct his or her energy.

You can also tell the child about the basic structure of a funeral and allow him or her to have some family pictures in his or her room. These things, while they may seem simple, can help the child cope and feel less fear about the process of illness and death.

Conclusion

While illness and death are a difficult part of life, they are a reality. All children will eventually experience a death in the family. Fortunately, these simple tips can help children cope with the process and avoid the shock and sense of loss that comes with having a loved one “disappear” suddenly. While children may have a difficult time coping with death, being honest and upfront about the process can help children develop a deeper understanding of death and accept it as a reality of life.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Being a PCA

Posted on by Martin

PCAs, or Personal Care Assistants, play a valuable role in the lives and well-being of aging or ill individuals. By accompanying these people through daily tasks in their home, the PCA is able to help the aging or ill individual maintain dignity and independence for longer than would have otherwise been possible. Being a PCA is a challenging career and there are many unique situations that place special demands on the personality, character, and work abilities of the PCA.

Although being a PCA is rewarding, it is also demanding and there are several things PCAs need to know in order to succeed in the field. Here are the top dos and don’ts for PCAs all across the country.

Things You Should Do as a PCA

In addition to being competent in certain aspects of the health care field, being a PCA also requires a certain type of personality and demeanor. Here are the top “dos” for people who want to be or already are PCAs:

  • Treat Patients with Respect

As a PCA, you will likely work with patients from all walks of life and backgrounds. These patients will be struggling with a variety of mental, emotional, and physical issues, from Alzheimer’s to severe disability. In order to be the best PCA possible, it is important to remember that every person who enters and exits your care deserves respect. This is especially important when you find yourself in the midst of a challenging situation, which will certainly happen if you work in the field long enough. While some days are harder than others, it is important to always remain positive and respectful with your clients.

  • Encourage the Patient’s Independence

Personal care assistants are meant to assist people with tasks that may have become difficult or impossible for them. In many cases, however, a PCA’s clients are far from being incapacitated and can still do many things for themselves. In these cases, it is important for the PCA to allow the client as much independence as the client can safely manage.

For example, if the client has trouble dressing him or herself but can still cook safely and efficiently, it is appropriate for the PCA to provide a helping hand with getting ready in the morning but to step back while the client makes breakfast. Doing this allows the client to maintain dignity and independence while also laying the foundation for a good relationship between the PCA and the client.

  • Be a Support System

Many families hire PCAs because a loved one’s needs have exceeded what the family can reasonably offer. This often means that the PCA will spend more time with the individual than virtually anybody else. If the PCA is doing his or her job correctly (by being compassionate, empathetic, reliable, and professional) it is only natural that, over time, the client will come to view the PCA as a trusted confidant.

This is one of the PCA’s most important job descriptions. In order to further your relationships with your clients, it is hugely important to be a trustworthy, sensitive sounding board when the client needs someone to talk to. This does not mean that you have to play the role of a therapist or counselor by offering advice or feedback, only that should strive to be a support system for the client. To do this better, practice active listening and exercise plenty of empathy. People who hire PCAs will appreciate it if their caregiver can also be a friend.

  • Remain Honest

While there are things that should certainly stay between you and your client (very personal stories, for example, or intimate struggles that are inappropriate for the outside world) it is important that you don’t hide things that need to be discussed.

For example, if you notice that one of your clients has been displaying odd behavior that could easily place the client or someone else at risk, it would be wise to reach out to the person’s family or a superior in the health care field. These situations can quickly become dangerous and it is your duty as a PCA to sound the alarm if you see behavior that is out of character, dangerous, or abnormal for an individual client.

  • Be Patient

Being a PCA will be trying at times and it is your duty to be patient: both with your clients and yourself. Patience will help you navigate difficult days, see through frustrating situations, and provide the best possible care for your clients, despite the challenges you both face.

  • Strive to Continue Training

While there is no required degree or certification program for being a PCA, it is important to continue your training in order to provide the best possible care. Attend conferences and classes that are relevant to your industry and seek to train under more experienced nurses or PCAs. In addition to exposing you to a variety of different health care procedures and protocols, these continued training sessions will help you hone skills and be better equipped to care for your clients.

The Don’ts of Being a PCA

Just like there are many things you should do as a PCA, there are also many things you should not do. These include the following:

  • Act Unprofessionally

While being a PCA is a very intimate career, it is also one that requires a high level of professionalism. You’ll be working in people’s homes, helping them with sensitive daily activities like bathing and using the bathroom, and interacting intimately in their daily lives. Being a PCA requires considerable amounts of warmth, empathy, and patience, but it also requires professionalism. This means arriving on time, being reliable about schedules, dressing appropriately, keeping conversation appropriate (don’t overshare about your own life or struggles), and setting boundaries. Without professionalism, it is impossible to have a good client/PCA relationship.

  • Get Angry

As a PCA, there will be situations that are trying, especially if you work with clients who have advanced dementia. While caring for these clients can be difficult at times, it is hugely important that PCAs are able to maintain their patience and never lose their tempers.

In addition to being unfair to the client, outbursts like these damage your relationship with the client and may well put your job at risk. Instead, practice relaxation techniques when you can’t take a break on the job and give yourself plenty of off-the-job activities like exercising or hobbies to help you de-stress and maintain your center.

  • Break Client Confidentiality

One of the most important things a PCA does is maintain client confidentiality at all times. This means that you should safeguard all information pertaining to clients, their families, and their employees. This includes specific health conditions, names, ages, and occupations of clients, as well as any specific information about their families.

Being a PCA is an intimate career and clients and families trust you with very sensitive information. Breaking client confidentiality is grounds not only for being fired but also for betraying the trust of your clients and placing them at risk for embarrassment or stress within their communities.

  • Avoid Self-Care

We’ve all heard the saying “you can’t give water when the well is dry.” To put this another way, you can’t care for other people when you’re not caring for yourself. In order to be a great PCA, it’s important to take fantastic care of yourself outside of your daily working environment. This means ensuring that you’re eating healthy, well-balanced meals, that you’re getting enough sleep, that you’re exercising, that you’re spending time with your friends and family, and that you’re allowing yourself to take occasional days off.

Being a PCA comes with many stressors: low pay, difficult work environments, lack of personal time, close contact with illness and death, etc., and it is important for PCAs to understand that, in order to care adequately for their clients, they must first care adequately for themselves.

Conclusion

PCAs are arguably some of the most important individuals in the entire health care industry, and without them it would be difficult for ill or aging individuals to maintain dignity and independence. Fortunately, PCAs are willing to provide selfless service to their clients and their families. By following these simple dos and don’ts, PCAs can be better at their careers and enjoy each day on the job more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why Seniors Should Avoid Eating These 10 “Healthy” Foods

Posted on by Martin

Healthy eating is an important part of maintaining optimal health and ensuring an active lifestyle throughout the years, but did you know that there are many “healthy” foods seniors shouldn’t be eating?

Many of these foods are off-limits due to their high bacteria content or food poisoning potential, which may compromise the health and safety of seniors in their older years. For seniors who want to stay healthy and cut down on the likelihood of food-borne illnesses, it’s generally best to avoid the following foods:

1. Sprouts

Sprouts, the sprouted greens of broccoli, alfalfa, or bean seeds, are generally considered a health-food wonder and are consumed by people all over the world due to the fact that they provide a huge variety of nutritional and digestive support and many needed vitamin and minerals.

Sprouts are dangerous for seniors, however, because they are a virtual breeding ground for illness-inducing bacteria. When seeds sprout, they can grow bacteria like salmonella and E-coli, which then gets trapped inside the seed. When seniors ingest contaminated seeds, they can become very ill, which may lead to dangerous secondary conditions like pneumonia or weight loss. In order to get all the benefits of sprouts without the dangerous risk of bacteria, seniors should consume plenty of leafy greens like Kale, collard greens, spinach, and Swiss chard instead.

2. Soft cheeses

Soft cheeses like Brie, chevre, Camembert, and blue cheese are generally unpasteurized and, as such, they can allow bacteria to breed in large amounts. While these soft cheese varieties may not be as much of an illness threat for younger people, they can harm seniors with a compromised immune system or a delicate stomach. It is important to note, however, that cheese offers a good dietary source of Vitamin D and seniors can get all the health benefits of cheese by eating varieties like cheddar, Monterey jack, and Swiss rather than soft varieties.

3. Raw meat

Some raw meat dishes, like Carpaccio (which consists of thin slivers of raw filets of beef) or steak tartare, are considered delicacies, but seniors should generally avoid them. The reason for this is that these foods are uncooked, which means that any bacteria present in the meat has not been killed by heat. This can make seniors very ill and can lead to the development of secondary conditions. Instead of eating raw meat, seniors should opt to consume lean white meat like chicken and regular portions of high-quality, cooked seafood to support optimal brain function and healthy joints.

4. Sushi

Sushi is eaten around the world and is considered a health food due to its high levels of vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids. While seniors can safely enjoy consuming cooked sushi varieties (such as those that use smoked salmon or cooked shrimp, for example), it is generally wise for seniors to avoid eating raw (sashimi) varieties as these may harbor dangerous bacteria that can make seniors very ill.

5. Oysters, clams, and mussels

For those who love them, oysters, clams, and mussels are a popular form of raw seafood that is packed with vitamins and minerals. Unfortunately, they can also pack a serious bacterial punch, which can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration in seniors. Because these foods are raw and sourced from around the world, it can be difficult to assure their quality and purity, and if a senior eats a bad one, it can have disastrous health consequences. If seniors want to eat these foods, they should always be cooked and should come from a reputable source, although it’s wise to talk to your doctor beforehand.

6. Raw eggs

We’ve all seen images of people consuming raw eggs in order to build muscle and have more energy, but raw and undercooked eggs can actually be very dangerous for seniors. This is because raw eggs present a salmonella risk and can have unfortunate health consequences for seniors.

In light of this, seniors shouldn’t eat raw eggs and should avoid foods like unpasteurized eggnog, French toast, homemade Cesar dressing and hollandaise sauce, all of which include undercooked eggs in some form or another. Eggs on their own are a healthy food filled with important nutrients but in order to be safe for seniors they need to be cooked or baked fully, as in scrambled or hard-boiled eggs.

7. Unpasteurized milk

Unpasteurized milk is often revered as a health food due to its intact mineral levels and high levels of beneficial fats, but seniors should avoid it altogether. This is because unpasteurized milk breeds and harbors bacteria in higher levels than pasteurized milk, which is super-heated to kill dangerous bacteria and keep the milk safe for human consumption.

While this doesn’t mean that seniors need to steer clear of milk altogether, it does mean that they should stay with pasteurized whole-milk varieties.

8. Unpasteurized juice

Unpasteurized juice has long been considered a health food due to the fact that the lack of pasteurization (high heat) leaves the juice’s nutrients intact. Unfortunately, however, anything that is unpasteurized leaves itself open to dangerous bacteria development and seniors who drink unpasteurized juices are at increased risk of food-borne illnesses and diseases.

Fortunately, seniors can get all of the same health benefits of unpasteurized juices by drinking high-quality pasteurized fruit and vegetable juices.

9. Multigrain bread

This “health food” comes with a caveat: while multigrain bread can be good for seniors, it’s important to look at the ingredient list when making bread purchasing decisions. If the bread is made with a collection of refined flours, it’s likely that it doesn’t pack much more of a nutritional punch than Wonderbread and, if it’s made with high-fructose corn syrup, it is likely to do more harm to a senior’s body than good.

To ensure that seniors are purchasing and consuming healthful multigrain bread, it’s important to look for varieties that are made with whole wheat flours and to ensure that they don’t have any high fructose corn syrup within them. Bread is an important staple for seniors and high-quality, multigrain varieties can support the health of a variety of body systems.

10. Low-fat foods

While the war on fat has been raging for years, it’s not generally wise to avoid foods with natural levels of fat in them. Healthy fats, like those found in fish, nuts, and olive oil, have heart-protecting benefits and can help seniors stay healthy and alert for many years. That said, it’s important to opt for full-fat varieties in things like milk and yogurt. These healthy fats offer brain and joint protection and support that low-fat varieties never will.

Conclusion

What’s good for one may not be good for all and seniors will do well to avoid these 10 “health foods” as they age. Doing this helps seniors reduce the risk of contracting food-borne illnesses and helps keep seniors healthy, happy, fit, and active throughout their golden years.