New Program Helps Caregivers Deliver Correct Nutrition for Older Adults

New caregiver DVDs will help in the prevention of malnutrition and dehydration.

Medford, OR (EMWNews) August 25, 2008 — As America’s population rapidly ages, the importance of educating caregivers about proper nutrition for older adults is becoming very clear. Through its new caregiver DVDs, Medifecta Healthcare Training is reaching out to help make sure understanding of this important issue is in place.

“When older adults become isolated, fragile or suffer cognitive decline, their diets often suffer,” said Marion Karpinski, R.N., president of Medifecta Healthcare Training. “They tend to eat foods like toast, sweets or junk food rather than cook healthy meals.”

Karpinski explained that when caregivers don’t know what to watch for in regard to nutrition, older adults can quickly become malnourished and even dehydrated. “Both malnutrition and dehydration exacerbate existing chronic conditions, weaken the immune system and negatively impact overall health. The ramifications of improper nutrition can be quite devastating on older adults.”

To prevent malnutrition and dehydration in older adults, caregivers must be properly trained in recognizing and dealing with their care recipients’ needs. Medifecta’s new training DVD offers the information caregivers need to know about aging and nutrition.

“Our latest caregiver training DVD teaches people exactly what they need to know about proper nutrition for people over the age of 70,” said Karpinski. “It includes the new Tufts Food Pyramid guidelines for this age group and other valuable information in a 43-minute training program.”

The DVD covers a host of topics that are important to both professional caregivers and family members who provide assistance to relatives in their advancing years. The caregiver DVDs cover such topics as daily food intake requirements, the need for high fiber items, caloric needs, safe food handling, reading labels and food preparation and presentation. The program also details information about medically prescribed diets, warning signs and prevention of malnutrition and more. The DVD explains in detail the skills and tools care providers need to create healthy, enjoyable meals.

Making certain caregivers know what to look for is essential for helping older adults maintain health, Karpinski said. “Caregivers play an important role in helping older adults remain healthy by providing nutritious meals,” she said. “When caregivers understand the importance of nutrition and how to provide it, a host of complications can be avoided.”

The program was produced and directed by Karpinski, a well-known authority in the field of caregiver training. She is the author of “Quick Tips for Caregivers” and has developed a series of award-winning DVDs and five caregiver training programs. Medifecta’s caregiver training programs are used by thousands of organizations and have received national recognition from such groups as the National Hospice Foundation, the American Society on Aging and the National Alliance of Caregivers.

The Nutrition and Meal Preparation for Older Adults DVD is available for $139, directly from Medifecta.

For more information on Medifecta, caregiver training, caregiver resources or older adult nutrition, visit www.medifecta.com, or contact Marion Karpinski at (888) 846-7008.