Recognizing Bacterial Food Poisoning in Seniors

If your aging relative was suffering from food poisoning, would you recognize the symptoms and know what to do? Many people don’t realize that what might cause a little gastrointestinal distress in an average healthy adult can become quite serious and even deadly in an elderly person. You need to do everything you can to prevent bacterial food poisoning in your kitchen and in the way that you, your family and any elder care aides prepare and serve meals.

Symptoms of Bacterial Food Poisoning

The symptoms of bacterial food poisoning are similar in all age groups, but seniors may have more severe reactions. The most common symptoms are vomiting, nausea, abdominal cramps, diarrhea and fever. Less common but just as serious symptoms include muscle spasms, headaches, stiff neck and confusion.

Seniors can quickly become dehydrated when they experience vomiting and watery stools, which can lead to organ shutdown. In extreme cases, the salmonella bacteria can cause infection in the heart and inflammation in the brain or spine membranes. Listeria can trigger bacterial meningitis. These diseases are life-threatening and are more common in the elderly than any other age group.

How is Bacterial Food Poisoning Treated?

After recognizing the symptoms of bacterial food poisoning in your aging relative on your own or through a elder care aide, it’s important to seek medical treatment for them immediately. Seniors can quickly deteriorate with food poisoning, so it’s critical that they are under a treatment plan as soon as possible. In average adults, salmonella can take up to seven days to clear up, but it is usually longer for the elderly. Most doctors will prescribe strong antibiotics for seniors with bacterial food poisoning.

When the doctor releases the elderly person to return home, it’s important that they stay hydrated and get nutrients back into their body so they can recover faster. They should also have a follow up appointment to ensure that they are back on the road to good health.

How to Prevent Bacterial Food Poisoning?

There are many ways that you can prevent your elderly relative from getting bacterial food poisoning. It requires vigilance when preparing, cooking and storing food. It also requires high levels of personal hygiene from you, family members, elder care aides and any others that will be handling food for your elderly relative.

It’s important to completely cook the food, especially eggs and meat, because bacteria will not survive the high temperatures. When there are leftovers, they should be refrigerated right away and never left out for hours or overnight. Make sure to re-heat food thoroughly if serving leftovers. Fruits and veggies need to be washed thoroughly. Above all, anyone handling food should wash their hands with soap and warm water before touching it.

Bacterial food poisoning is a serious issue with elderly adults and it can cause them all kinds of health problems. It can even be fatal. That’s why you need to take whatever precautions you can to recognize the symptoms of bacterial food poisoning in seniors and take steps to prevent it from happening if you can.

Source:

https://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodborneIllnessContaminants/PeopleAtRisk/ucm312705.htm

If you or an aging loved-one are considering elder care in Parkers Prairie, MN, please contact the caring staff at Alternative Senior Care today. Providing Home Care in Central Minnesota and Surrounding Communities. Call us Today (320) 352-3350.