Food Safety Tips for Senior in Florida

Adults aged 65 and over are at a higher risk for illness and hospitalization from foodborne illness. As people age, the organs and body systems undergo changes that make them more at risk for food-related illness. If you have ever experienced food poisoning, you’ll likely know how miserable it can make you. The vast majority of these cases can be prevented by following proper food safety procedures, which is especially important for seniors due to their increased risk for illness and hospitalization. 

If you need assistance following proper guidelines related to food safety for seniors, you can have the professionals at Advancare help. One of the senior care responsibilities of our compassionate team of caregivers is to prepare meals, and by hiring us, you can guarantee that proper safe food handling procedures will be followed. 

Why Food Safety is Important

Over 75 million Americans suffer from food poisoning each year, but the majority of the pain and suffering caused by these cases can be prevented by following food safety procedures. As stated above, food safety is important for everybody, but it is especially important for seniors. Because our immune systems weaken as we grow older, illnesses can be more severe in seniors. Thus, food poisoning can have many negative effects, including:

• Dehydration
• Discomfort
• Hospitalization
• Death, in rare cases

Food Safety Guidelines

Fortunately, food safety guidelines are relatively easy to follow. Unfortunately, because of declining mental and physical abilities, some seniors have difficulties following these guidelines, and it is advisable to hire a company such as Advancare for meal preparation. 

1. Wash your hands before preparing or eating food. According to FDA guidelines, you should wash your hands under running water for at least 20 seconds before you handle food. A good way to advise seniors on the proper handwashing length is to sing “Happy Birthday” twice while washing their hands. Also, be sure to wash fresh fruits and vegetables before eating. However, raw meats should not be washed in order to avoid cross-contamination.
2. Hygiene practices even when you are preparing meals or snacks. Properly thawing raw meat is especially important. If you’re using raw meat, be sure to thaw it in the refrigerator, not on the counter. If your senior is in a hurry, they can also thaw meat by placing it in the microwave on the Defrost setting.
3. Food safety rules should be followed while cooking food. This is especially important when cooking meat, as eating undercooked meat is a main cause of food poisoning. Be sure to cook the meat to the recommended internal temperature, and refrigerate leftovers immediately. Meat should stay good in the fridge for three to four days after cooking, but if you have consumed it by then, throw it away.

Senior Meal Preparation in Florida

If you or a loved one needs assistance with preparing meals, the professionals at Advancare are here to help. We also provide a wide range of in-home medical care and assistance services for seniors in Florida. 

Contact us at (305) 441-9794 for more information about food safety.