Hunger, malnutrition are very real problems
Lenny Pakula is a retired studio musician from Philadelphia, Pa. I just read his story of malnutrition and how he is slowly working toward a healthier daily nutrition. “It’s been a struggle,” said Pakula, who lost his left leg to the diabetes and keeps in touch with old friends via rotary phone. “But I learned nutrition is important. Nutrition is everything.”
Yes, I know Lenny doesn’t live in Bonner County. And I don’t know how many older adults in Bonner County have similar stories. But I’m confident those stories are lurking beyond the awareness of most of us. I’m also convinced that our awareness could help reduce malnutrition among Bonner County’s older adults!
Awareness opportunity No. 1: Malnutrition isn’t always from a lack of food. Malnutrition can happen from a lack of healthy food!
Awareness opportunity No. 2: Do you know some of the signs of malnutrition? Here are a few: unintentional weight loss, tiredness and fatigue (lack of energy), muscle weakness or loss of strength, depression, memory-problems, a weak immune system, anemia.
Certainly those signs can signal many other concerns. But we’re wise to consider malnutrition if we see the signs either in ourselves or someone we care about.
Awareness opportunity No. 3: Malnutrition may also occur from non-food issues -- like bad teeth, lack of appetite from disease or medication, inability to leave home to shop for healthy food. According to Rose Ann DiMaria-Ghalili, a nursing professor at Drexel University, roughly one out of two people aged 65+ are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition.
That seems like a high percentage to me! But I’ve not done enough research to challenge it. What I have done is gathered a group of six community persons for our next Geezer Forum to address issues of Hunger and Nutrition among older adults in our county. It happens next Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2:30-4 p.m.
We’ll be looking at hunger and nutrition from a variety of perspectives, led by these knowledgeable persons: Debbie Love (Bonner Community Food Bank), Nanci Jenkins (Panhandle Health District), Ellen Weissman (Sandpoint Senior Center) , Kat Anderson (Eat Smart Idaho), Michelle Murphree (Community Gardens and Food for Our Children), and Roz Holland (Food for Our Children
We will learn about the Food Bank’s services, diabetes prevention, Bonner County Coalition for Health, and meals provided through SASI (Sandpoint Area Seniors, Inc.). We will receive more information about cooking and eating healthy foods through Eat Smart Idaho. Plus we’ll find out about new community gardens springing up and about the Food for Our Children program. Yes, grandchildren need their grandparents to be aware of nutrition too!
There will be lots of information on hunger, malnutrition and nutrition, folks. So bring your note-taking skills.
Also, consider bringing food items for the food bank. Sharing food through Bonner Community Food Bank is always in season! Join us on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2:30-4:00 in the Community Room of Columbia Bank.
Paul Graves, M.Div., is lead geezer-in-training for Elder Advocates, a consulting ministry on aging issues. Contact Paul at 208-610-4971 or elderadvocates@nctv.com.