Sometimes one of the first clues to an individual’s changing physical or cognitive abilities is finding spoiled food in their fridge.
Older people change in their use of the kitchen, cooking habits and their shopping routines. This can occur for a variety of reasons. Changes in mobility, access to supermarkets and more time spent eating alone are just a few examples.
Seniors with weakened immune systems are at the greatest risk for food-borne illness. These high-risk populations are less able to fight off disease and are therefore more susceptible to illness. Making safe food choices is a key strategy at any age; but as people get older, there may be reasons why this becomes more problematic.
Many chronic illnesses — like infections and diabetes as well as kidney disease — can make it more difficult to fight off infections. The body is not as able to mount the same response to bacteria like E. coli and salmonella. The stomach acid produced by the body is reduced as we age, and some medications can further reduce the production of gastric acid, which kill harmful bacteria.
Some seniors cannot manage to keep track of food, as they can become confused about day and date and may not be able to comprehend expiry or “best before” dates. They may also not recall when they purchased their food, forgetting which days of the week food items were bought. This is a cognitive issue that is related to other functional concerns.
In the past, mom may have had a routine to check her fridge for spoilage, but now may not remember when or how to do this. Family can gently remind the person to do a cleanup, but it is usually necessary to take a more proactive approach and ensure that old food is tossed away when you are present.