Discussion with the Editor of The Care of the Older Person

The Care of the Older Person brings together some of today’s most experienced professionals to provide concrete answers for professionals and providers of all kinds- doctors, nurses, dentists, therapists, pharmacists, hands-on caregivers, architects, attorneys, retirement management professionals —those who build, run, and staff the facilities and housing for all of the aging population, as well as spouses and children of the elderly. See careoftheolderperson.com 

Ronald M. Caplan, MD MD, CM, FACS, FACOG, FRCS(C), Clinical Associate Professor Emeritus Obstetrics and Gynecology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University

Link to flyer on the book with a discount code

Questions Asked:

• I am interested in the eating habits of an older adult.  My Mom does not have an appetite and it is hard to get her to eat.
  • Susan, you may find that your Mom might respond to you offering foods that she wouldn’t expect she would like. my mom is suddenly liking spicy foods. I took her to a very quiet Korean restaurant 2 weeks ago."
  • "It is not uncommon for older adults to have decreased appetites and loss of taste and/or smell.  You can offer small frequent meals that are dense with calories, heightened flavors, foods that the person really enjoys.
• Low dose cannabis tablets.  Cannabis is a known appetite stimulant.
• The issue is that some elderly people no longer drive and rely on someone else to pick up something that might "appeal" to them. Lack of energy to prepare food can be an issue. Lastly, many elderly people have been told by their physicians to avoid salt and sugar. Good grief!
• What is your opinion of NAD supplements? Do you recommend any supplements?
• Not all older adults have swalloing problems - dysphagia."

Comments

12:04:44     From  Courtney Nalty : Good morning! Courtney Nalty from Generational Support and author of The Hospital Discharge Handbook!

www.generationalsupport.com

12:04:46     From  Jeanina DiVittorio : Happy New Year! Jeanina DiVittorio from Grand Oaks; jdivitt1@jhmi.edu; 202-345-9665

12:04:49     From  Ken Silverstein : Happy New Year to all--Ken Silverstein, Friends Club a non-profit social group serving men with early to mid-stage memory loss.  We are expanding our program to add Tuesdays--we have openings.  Please feel free to contact me to learn more.  301-469-0070, ken@friendsclubbethesda.org.  I do have to leave today's program early.

12:05:29     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Discount code and details on the book we are discussing today! https://www.retirementlivingsourcebook.com/images/Taylor-and-Francis-Group-Discount-Flyer.pdf

12:05:31     From  Robin Mooney : Hi Everyone - Robin Mooney, Home With You Senior Care - Maryland  HomeWithYou.com

12:06:17     From  Arelis Perez : Happy New Year & Carpe Diem, Everyone! Arelis Perez from Neighbors Helping Neighbors - College Park or www.nhn-cp.org

12:09:29     From  Rob Blatt   to   Hosts and panelists : Hello Everyone - Rob Blatt, envoyatHome; rob@envoyatHome.com; www.envoyathome.com.  We can show you how to help seniors live independently, longer for 100th the cost of in-home care.

12:11:29     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : From Rob Blatt to All Panelists 12:09 PM

Hello Everyone - Rob Blatt, envoyatHome; rob@envoyatHome.com; www.envoyathome.com.  We can show you how to help seniors live independently, longer for 100th the cost of in-home care.

12:14:24     From  Kathleen Steed   to   Hosts and panelists : Kathleen Steed, age 77, retired person, no affiliation. I live in New York City, and my PCP and most other physicians are at WeillCornell.

12:19:45     From  Jean-Marie Minton   to   Hosts and panelists : Susan, you may find that your Mom might respond to you offering foods that she wouldn’t expect she would like. my mom is suddenly liking spicy foods. I took her to a very quiet Korean restaurant 2 weeks ago.

12:19:51     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Heather C. Lambert, PhD https://careoftheolderperson.com/heather-c-lambert-phd

12:20:23     From  Jean-Marie Minton   to   Hosts and panelists : i’m here with my Mom today, she just met her new primary today. He mentioned that Vision and Hearing is the easily prevention to dementia.

12:20:45     From  Jean-Marie Minton   to   Hosts and panelists : My mom is also concerned about what she eats b/c of GI issues.

12:21:36     From  Jean-Marie Minton   to   Hosts and panelists : Funny, she says she’s not hungry and then eats everything on the plate. It’s like she has a script in her ahead that doesn’t reflect her reality.

12:23:34     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : From Jean-Marie Minton to All Panelists 12:19 PM

Susan, you may find that your Mom might respond to you offering foods that she wouldn’t expect she would like. my mom is suddenly liking spicy foods. I took her to a very quiet Korean restaurant 2 weeks ago.

Abbe Simon 12:20 PM 

It is not uncommon for older adults to have decreased appetites and loss of taste and/or smell.  You can offer small frequent meals that are dense with calories, heightened flavors, foods that the person really enjoys.

Not all older adults have swalloing problems - dysphagia.

12:24:05     From  Suzanne Ellerbrock : Thank you for the input

12:24:25     From  emily kearns : I'm trying to use the discount code with Amazon in ordering your book - as we speak.  It's not accepting it.  Do I need to order it elsewhere? TY!

12:26:18     From  Cherie Lejeune   to   Hosts and panelists : So what is your daily routine, you look great and I assume your physical well being is same. I have a 95 year old “client” friend who simply says well of course I want to live as long as possible. Do you think the dialog of the whole Today Show Smuckers marketing driven 100th is good or bad?

12:26:25     From  emily kearns : TY very much! I'll do that.

12:26:32     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Link with discount code https://www.routledge.com/The-Care-of-the-Older-Person/Caplan/p/book/9781032383170

12:28:06     From  Jean-Marie Minton   to   Hosts and panelists : What’s the discount code?

12:29:08     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : 20% Discount Available - enter the code AFL01 at

checkout*  https://www.routledge.com/The-Care-of-the-Older-Person/Caplan/p/book/9781032383170

12:30:56     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : Intergenerational Playgroups https://www.retirementlivingsourcebook.com/events/intergenerational-playgroups

12:33:44     From  Cherie Lejeune   to   Hosts and panelists : So you have had zero big heart issues..and if not a pacemaker, it is a device which you asked for?

12:39:07     From  Cherie Lejeune   to   Hosts and panelists : My neighbor who has Alzheimers is in the Georgetown control group and has been dubbed the success story of the new drugs trial (4 years she has been in it)..she has not declined, which is huge and I joke she can remember current “stuff” better than I can. She loves contributing.

12:39:49     From  Suzanne Ellerbrock : I agree - Nursing Homes, Assisted Living communities and even Independent living communities leave a lot to be desired.  I am in my early 60's and I don't want to move into any in my community as they are not appealing.

12:41:16     From  Jean-Marie Minton   to   Hosts and panelists : Eating boring food is boring

12:42:21     From  Paula David : If you are ordering the book, and are a Ratuken user, they are offering 7.5% cash back. ????

12:43:36     From  Jean-Marie Minton   to   Hosts and panelists : We have also deferred food prep and have lost the joy in preparing food from basic food groups

12:43:45     From  emily kearns : In long term care residences, families are increasingly becoming quasi staff - on call....called re medication help, falls, agitation, and more...and...they're paying $4K - $10k monthly to live there.

12:44:26     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)

12:46:24     From  Kathleen Steed   to   Hosts and panelists : After oral cancer, I needed to replace teeth on the side where I still had teeth.  The cost of a single post and a crown is $6,000 total.  Dental plans require one year before an implant is 50 percent covered. Plus one is restricted to dentists who accept the plan.

12:46:30     From  emily kearns : Thank you! AND...those living with dementia, outside of the medical sites, are NOT Alzheimer's patients.

12:47:54     From  Jean-Marie Minton   to   Hosts and panelists : Right on Steve

12:47:56     From  Kathleen Steed   to   Hosts and panelists : A guideline I read for what to eat: “Don’t eat anything your grandmother wouldn’t recognize.”

12:49:22     From  Jeanina DiVittorio : Your point about purposeful food preparation is well taken.  However, improved nutrition, a long with a social dining offering 3 times daily, is often a reason that someone wants or needs to make a move to age in a community other than one's own home.

12:50:05     From  Nan Coleman : I am hoping Communes may return for our aging Boomer generation, with retirees.

12:50:19     From  Jean-Marie Minton   to   Hosts and panelists : Communal living on some level outside of a formal community is worth an exploration

12:51:56     From  Jean-Marie Minton   to   Hosts and panelists : it goes back to the fact that socialization brings purpose to eating.

12:53:48     From  Steve Gurney - ProAging Community : 20% Discount Available - enter the code AFL01 at

checkout*  https://www.routledge.com/The-Care-of-the-Older-Person/Caplan/p/book/9781032383170

12:54:17     From  Cherie Lejeune : Thank you Steve and Dr. Caplan…perfect time to start off the New Year..best to all!

12:55:08     From  Jean-Marie Minton   to   Hosts and panelists : wonderful call. packed with valuable info