Food Safety Tips for Seniors

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 48 million Americans experience foodborne diseases each year. Symptoms include severe abdominal cramping, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and overall fatigue and weakness. Most foodborne disease symptoms appear within hours of eating contaminated foods. However, in some cases of food poisoning, symptoms may begin days or weeks later. 

Although foodborne diseases can affect anyone at any age, older adults are particularly vulnerable to food poisoning. Older adults contact foodborne illnesses at a higher rate than other age groups. Older adults have weaker immune systems that do not respond as quickly and effectively to bacteria or viruses. Although most cases of food poisoning aren’t very serious and can be dealt with at home with no medical intervention, older adults have a higher risk of hospitalization as a result of having food poisoning. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately half of older adults over the age of 65 are hospitalized as a result of food poisoning.

The best way to prevent foodborne diseases is to take proper precautions while preparing foods at home. Here are four important food safety tips for seniors. 

Start Clean

Food safety begins with proper hygiene. This includes having a clean space to work in the kitchen, clean utensils and cutting boards, clean pots and pans, and clean hands. Before older adults begin any food preparation, they should thoroughly wash their hands for 20 seconds and dry them with a clean towel. In addition, they should ensure that all dishes and kitchen tools are thoroughly cleaned before beginning their food preparation. Counters should also be wiped with soapy water or a disinfectant wipe before cooking. As food preparation begins, older adults need to wash their hands throughout the cooking process, especially after touching raw meat. Clean out the refrigerator and freezer regularly and toss old leftovers or foods that have expired.

Keep Raw Foods Separated From Other Foods 

Speaking of raw foods, raw foods should always be separated from other foods. Raw foods, such as meat, poultry, fish, and shellfish, contain bacteria. Thoroughly cooking raw foods destroys most, if not all, of these harmful bacteria. However, in their raw state, these foods can cross-contaminate other foods. Older adults should store raw foods away from all other foods, including bagging raw foods in separate bags from other foods at the grocery store. Raw meats should always be stored at the bottom of the refrigerator, away from other foods and produce, to prevent cross-contamination. 

Promptly Refrigerate Perishable Foods 

Another food safety tip many older adults neglect is not promptly refrigerating perishable foods. Milk, dairy products, raw meat, poultry, fish, eggs, raw sprouts, and most cut produce need to be kept at cool temperatures to prevent pathogen growth. The longer perishable foods are exposed to warmer temperatures, the more likely these foods can become dangerous to consume. Older adults should plan their errands accordingly and stop at the grocery store last, especially when the temperatures are hot. Promptly put perishable foods in the refrigerator once you arrive home. Older adults also need to promptly refrigerate perishable foods and leftovers after preparing and eating their meals. 

Discard Questionable Foods

Finally, food safety includes accepting that it’s okay to discard foods that look questionable. Older adults should always double-check expiration dates and toss foods that have expired, even if it’s only been a few days since the date passed. Just one bite of spoiled food is enough to cause foodborne disease in an older adult. Older adults should never rely on their sense of taste or smell because these senses begin to decline around the age of 60. 

Visiting Angels Southlake is here to help older adults who need help in the kitchen. We provide senior care services that are personally tailored to the needs of each of our care recipients, in the comfort of your home so that you can age in place for as long as possible. We offer support and assistance with daily routines and basic activities including meal planning and preparation. Our professional caregivers can work alongside you in the kitchen to help you prepare healthy meals for the week ahead. They can even escort you to the grocery store and help you discard foods that may have expired. You can find quality care at Visiting Angels Southlake. To learn more about our home care services, please contact us today by calling 817-684-1996.