Our Ask An Angel correspondent is Arlene Petersen, Certified Senior Advisor and Life Care Navigation Specialist in the area of senior home care.
Q. During a recent visit with mom, I was alarmed to find weeksâ old food in the fridge. I am afraid she can get sick from these foods if she isnât aware of the danger that exists. How can I help her realize she has to throw old food away?
A. None of us like to waste food, but when it becomes a safety issue, I fall back on the old saying, âwhen in doubt, throw it out.â That may be easy enough for me or you to do, but it may not be so easy for your mom. It may take a little detective questioning to determine why. Is she forgetful about it? Could it be her sense of smell or even her sight may be impaired to the point where she cannot determine there is spoilage? Sensory changes are common in the elderly, so this may be giving her some trouble and should be considered. Food safety is important because the elderly have challenges as changes in the body can also make it difficult for them to combat bacteria that can cause illness. The goal is to put a process in place to avoid the risk of getting sick. If it is not possible for you to visit with her more frequently, devise a plan that works. Perhaps schedule a phone call to ask her to check the contents of her fridge or post a check list of what to go once a week. You might place this list on the fridge, and when you âcheck in,â you can suggest she take a peek at whatâs in the fridge. If you donât think this will help her, you may want to enlist the help of a friend or neighbor to pop by now and then. A professional caregiver can easily help you with this as well. She may challenge you on this process, but if you gently remind her that spoiled food can make her sick, she may be willing to work with you on this. Finally, check the working order of the fridge. Is it set to the recommended temperature? It could be as simple as a temperature setting being improperly set. Keep an eye on your momâs situation. If there are other changes in your mom, it may be an opportunity to speak with her doctor for direction and guidance.
Have a question for our angel correspondent? You can send our angel an email to apetersen@visitingangels.com or send your question via mail to Ask An Angel, 65 Woodbury St., South Elgin, IL 60177.
