My mother eats healthy foods.
This is a warning sign of an impending medical crisis in frail ederly.
Many of the frail older people that I see who exclaim proudly that they eat healthy foods are much more likely to end up in hospital as a result.
Healthy foods such as salads, lean meats, low fat milk, dry biscuits and small serves do not give the frail older person enough calories and energy that they require.
These so-called “healthy foods” simply accelerate the process of malnutrition, confusion, muscle weakness, falls and the risk for the public hospital Emergency Department presentation.
The best food for frail underweight malnourished older people are Polish Pierogi potato dumplings. They can be boiled and served with lashings of sour cream or fried in lots of butter and served with sour cream. They have lots of calories (kilojoules) for energy, are easy to swallow and eat, and taste fantastic! It is very much comfort food and provides better energy and food value than salads.
For more information read Dr Peter Lipski’s book “Your Elderly Parents Failing Health. Is It Ageing Or A Treatable Condition”.