How can I afford a Care Advisor?

Anyone can afford an Assisted Living Locator Care Advisor. That’s because we are paid only when we help you make a decision about your senior’s living location and we are paid by the location you choose. And because we only receive payment when you’re paying the Care Community directly, we’ll also put you in touch with your state’s social service network to make sure that you receive the proper state support in the event that you are unable to pay for senior care and housing yourself.

What can a Care Advisor help me with?

An Assisted Living Locators® Care Advisor specializes in knowing your senior housing and in home care options, but via their referral network they can connect you with state resources in the event that you need to consider state resources to finance and secure senior housing, as well as a wide variety of specialists who focus on some aspect of the senior services industry- Eldercare Attorneys, Financial Specialists, Real Estate Agents, Downsizing Specialists, Home Health Experts, and just about any other senior service need you can think of.

Who is my Assisted Living Locators® Care Advisor?

Glad you asked. This site gives you a number of ways to find your local Assisted Living Locators® Care Advisor. Pick one and we’ll either get them on the phone, or make sure that they contact you in a timely fashion. Click here to get to our Care Advisor page.

How are Care Advisors trained?

Assisted Living Locators® Care Advisors are vetted for the right set of skills before they ever even buy a franchise. Once they do, we provide comprehensive initial training and a 13 week “in community” onboarding process. We ask all Assisted Living Locators® Care Advisors to become Certified Senior Advisors, a nationwide accreditation program that provides additional industry specific knowledge. Care Advisors also participate in continuing education provided by us and provided by local senior oriented industry associations to ensure that they understand the latest tools, techniques and industry rules and regulations to help you navigate the senior experience.

What does a Care Advisor do?

An Assisted Living Locators® Care Advisor spends time at each of the communities and homes in your local area. They understand how well the community is performing against state standards and they understand what the community is good at- in short, they understand what isn’t in the community’s glossy brochure. An Assisted Living Locators® Care Advisor networks to ensure that they have a broad array of qualified resource team members that they can call on to help deal with challenges beyond senior housing and care, which is their own area of expertise. And Assisted Living Locators® Care Advisors spend time with families and seniors. They can’t help if they don’t know and understand you and your family. Assisted Living Locators® Care Advisors have a structured way to identify important needs that you and your senior have, which they then use to match you to the best community choices or the best members of their resource network that can meet your needs.

Who is Assisted Living Locators®?

A franchise business based in Arizona, with local owners and operators across the US. Our Care Advisors bring problem solving skills and compassion to your local senior community, and we supply the training, processes and industry knowledge they need to provide you with the help you want.

Where are your Care Advisors located?

Everywhere. If we don’t have a Care Advisor yet in your local area, we’ll find you an affiliate advisor who can help. But every month we train more Care Advisors to meet the growing needs of seniors in every community across the US. You can find your local Care Advisor by using the tools on this website. And because we are nationwide, we can help you in your town or in towns all across the US.

When should I contact an Assisted Living Locators® Care Advisor?

Since Care Advisors understand the entire range of living options available to seniors, any family with a senior over 55 can benefit from their expertise. Use us to understand your independent living options if your senior wants more time for leisure pursuits after 55. Use us especially when you are concerned about the safety or health of your senior loved one. And it’s critically important that you reach out to us if your senior is in the hospital or rehabilitation facility so that we help you navigate the immediate next health care and housing steps that must be taken, giving you a voice in how the health care and insurance systems in your state manage your senior’s needs.

Avoiding Food Poisoning at Home

By Bill Thompson

Published July 20, 2024

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Ensuring the well-being of our elderly loved ones, especially regarding their health and nutrition, is of utmost importance. One critical but often overlooked aspect is food safety. We discuss essential strategies and tips to help caregivers maintain safe and nutritious diets for their aging family members.

Why Are the Elderly More Vulnerable?

Elderly individuals face heightened susceptibility to food poisoning due to age-related changes that weaken their immune systems. As we age, our bodies may produce fewer immune cells, making it harder to fight off infections caused by harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and Listeria. This decreased immune response means that seniors are more likely to develop severe symptoms from foodborne illnesses compared to younger adults.

Common Pathogens

Among the most concerning pathogens for seniors are Salmonella and Listeria. These bacteria can be found in various foods, including undercooked meats, unpasteurized dairy products, and contaminated fruits and vegetables. When ingested by seniors, these pathogens can cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms and, in some cases, lead to more serious health complications like dehydration, organ damage, or even death if not promptly treated.

The Consequences of Food Poisoning

Severe Gastrointestinal Symptoms: Seniors are prone to experiencing intense nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, which can lead to dehydration and further health complications.
Increased Risk of Dehydration: Dehydration is a significant concern due to seniors’ decreased ability to retain fluids, potentially exacerbating other health conditions and requiring medical intervention.
Compromised Immune Response: Foodborne illnesses can weaken the immune system of elderly individuals, making them more susceptible to additional infections and prolonging recovery times.
Potential for Serious Health Complications: In severe cases, food poisoning can lead to organ damage, sepsis, and even death if not promptly treated, highlighting the critical need for vigilance in food safety practices.

Safe Food Handling Practices

Proper food handling is paramount when caring for elderly loved ones to prevent foodborne illnesses. One of the fundamental practices is thorough handwashing. Clean hands significantly reduce the risk of contaminating food with harmful bacteria.

Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food, especially when preparing meals for seniors.

Steps for Safe Food Preparation

To ensure food safety, follow these essential steps during food preparation:

Cleaning: Thoroughly wash fruits, vegetables, and utensils before use. Use separate cutting boards for raw meats and produce to avoid cross-contamination.
Separating: Keep raw meats, poultry, seafood, and eggs separate from ready-to-eat foods like fruits and salads in the refrigerator to prevent bacteria from spreading.
Cooking: Cook foods to safe temperatures using a food thermometer to ensure they reach temperatures sufficient to kill harmful bacteria. For example, poultry should reach 165°F (74°C), ground beef should reach 160°F (71°C), and seafood should reach 145°F (63°C).
Chilling: Refrigerate perishable foods promptly—within two hours of cooking or purchasing. Ensure the refrigerator is set at 40°F (4°C) or below to slow the growth of bacteria.

Handling Specific Food Types

Each type of food requires specific handling techniques to minimize the risk of contamination:

Meats: Store raw meats in sealed containers on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator to prevent juices from dripping onto other foods. Use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw meats and cooked foods.
Dairy: Keep dairy products refrigerated at all times and discard any expired or spoiled items promptly. Avoid consuming unpasteurized dairy products, which can harbor harmful bacteria.
Produce: Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water, even if you plan to peel them. Scrub firm produce like melons and cucumbers with a clean produce brush.

Kitchen Hygiene

Maintaining a clean and hygienic kitchen is paramount for caregivers tending to elderly loved ones, who are more susceptible to foodborne illnesses. Effective hygiene practices include regular surface cleaning with hot, soapy water after each use to mitigate the risk of bacterial buildup, particularly on kitchen sponges known to harbor up to 7 billion bacteria per square inch, as reported by the National Sanitation Foundation International (NSF). Using disposable wipes or frequently laundered dishcloths can offer safer alternatives for maintaining cleanliness.

Sanitization plays a crucial role in reducing the spread of foodborne illnesses, which affect millions globally each year, with seniors facing higher risks of severe complications, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Sanitizing countertops and cutting boards with a bleach solution helps to further minimize bacterial contamination, ensuring a safer food preparation environment.

Prioritize proper cleaning of utensils and appliances, considering that a significant portion of dishwashers may not adequately sanitize dishes, as highlighted by studies published in the Journal of Applied Microbiology.

Regular appliance maintenance, such as cleaning refrigerators to prevent up to 30% of foodborne illness outbreaks attributed to contamination from these sources by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is essential for maintaining food safety standards.

Recognizing and Choosing Safe Foods

Ensuring the safety of the foods we choose is essential when caring for elderly loved ones, as their health can be more vulnerable to foodborne illnesses. Careful selection of ingredients and understanding food labels are key practices that caregivers can adopt to promote a healthy diet and prevent health risks.

Select Safe Ingredients

Choosing fresh and safe ingredients is vital for ensuring the health and well-being of elderly loved ones. When shopping, prioritize selecting:

Fresh Produce: Opt for fruits and vegetables that are firm, without bruises or mold. Wash them thoroughly before use to remove any residues.
Lean Meats: Select lean cuts of meat, poultry, and fish. Check for freshness by examining the color and texture, and ensure they are stored and handled properly to avoid contamination.
Dairy and Eggs: Choose pasteurized dairy products and eggs, which are less likely to harbor harmful bacteria. Check for proper storage and expiration dates.

Understanding Food Labels

Educating oneself on how to read food labels is crucial for making informed choices:

Expiration Dates: Understand the difference between “sell-by,” “use-by,” and “best-by” dates to determine food freshness. Discard foods past their expiration dates to avoid health risks.
Ingredients List: Review the ingredients list for potential allergens or additives that may affect seniors’ health. Opt for foods with minimal additives and natural ingredients.

Foods to Avoid

Certain high-risk foods should be avoided to minimize the risk of foodborne illnesses in elderly individuals:

Raw and Undercooked Meats and Eggs: Avoid consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, and eggs, as they can harbor harmful bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli.
Unpasteurized Dairy Products: Steer clear of unpasteurized milk, cheese, and other dairy products, which may contain bacteria that pose health risks, especially to seniors with weakened immune systems.

Be Prepared for Emergency

Recognizing signs of food poisoning, knowing when to seek medical help, and keeping essential emergency information readily available are key aspects of ensuring their safety and well-being.

Recognizing Food Poisoning

Caregivers need to be able to identify the signs of food poisoning in seniors:

Symptoms: Watch for symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, and dehydration. Seniors may also experience weakness or confusion, which can indicate a more severe reaction.
Observation: Monitor their condition closely, especially after meals or when introducing new foods, to detect any unusual symptoms that may suggest foodborne illness.

When to Seek Help

Knowing when to seek medical attention for food poisoning is crucial for timely intervention:

Severe Symptoms: If symptoms are severe or persistent, such as severe abdominal pain, high fever, bloody stools, or signs of dehydration (e.g., dry mouth, decreased urine output), seek medical help immediately.
Underlying Conditions: Seniors with underlying health conditions or weakened immune systems may be more susceptible to complications from foodborne illnesses and should receive prompt medical evaluation.

Emergency Information

Ensure that essential emergency contacts and information are easily accessible:

Medical Contacts: Keep a list of emergency contacts, including primary care physicians, specialists, and local urgent care or hospital information.
Health Information: Have access to seniors’ medical history, allergies, medications, and any dietary restrictions or preferences, which can aid healthcare providers in delivering appropriate care.