Time Hospital Visits to Coincide With Meal Times

If your parent is in the hospital or a skilled nursing facility, try to time your visits -- and those of other friends and family members -- to coincide with meal times. Staff members often just drop off meal trays and zip out, while ill or infirm seniors -- or those whose vision is impaired -- may lack the dexterity to open milk or juice cartons or cut their food. Without help, they may simply give up and not get enough to eat. Timing visits so that someone can assist them if need be when a meal arrives can mean more than company; it can ensure adequate nutrition.