
Blog post
Outsmart Unplanned Medical Costs: 10 Steps for Managing the Unexpected
Older adults can safeguard themselves from the physical, mental and emotional toll of unexpected medical costs.
October 5-9, 2020 is Malnutrition Awareness Week.
The rate of malnutrition is highest in adults age 65 and older. Malnourished patients have hospital stays that are two times longer than patients who are not malnourished, and a 1.6% higher readmission rate. Malnourishment can cause weight loss, which can lead to muscle loss, an increased risk for falls, decreased bone mass, poor wound healing and more.
A healthy, balanced diet can help to prevent malnutrition. Here are some tips to help keep you on track with your nutrition goals.
Goal: Fill ½ your plate with fruit and vegetables at dinner time.
Goal: Fill ¼ of your plate with protein rich foods.
Goal: Fill ¼ of your plate with complex carbohydrates at dinner time, more if you are trying to gain weight.
Note: To maintain balanced blood sugar, pair ½ cup of beans or lentils with high carbohydrate foods.
Goal: Add healthy fats as a garnish to your meal. Add more if you trying to gain weight.
Take it one step at a time. It can feel overwhelming to take too many steps at once. Pick one thing per week you want to try and build from there.
If you are struggling to maintain your nutrition goals, your Landmark provider can refer you to a Landmark dietitian and/or connect you with community resources such as food banks that offer home deliveries. Please reach out to your Landmark team with any questions.
Older adults can safeguard themselves from the physical, mental and emotional toll of unexpected medical costs.
Optum Care Network – Monarch has teamed up with Landmark to deliver in-home medical care to members with multiple chronic conditions.
Optum Care Network – Utah has teamed up with Landmark to deliver in-home medical care to members with multiple chronic conditions.