Senior Safety Tips

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Seniors and Medicine

Older adults take more medications now than ever before, often to manage chronic health conditions.

As we age, body processes slow down and change how medications are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and eliminated. These changes increase the risk of side effects, drug interactions, and drug–food interactions.

Some medications may not work properly or may cause harmful effects when taken with other medicines.

Medicine Resources

Seniors and Food Safety

Why Are Seniors at Risk?

As we age, the immune system becomes less effective. Inflammation of the stomach and decreased stomach acid can also occur. These changes increase the risk of infections caused by bacteria in food.

Seniors may also cook smaller meals and keep leftovers longer, increasing the risk of bacterial growth.

Symptoms of Foodborne Illness

  • Common symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal cramping, fever, headache, vomiting, and fatigue
  • Symptoms may begin as soon as one hour after eating contaminated food or several days later
  • Symptoms usually last 1–2 days but may persist longer
  • If symptoms are severe or persistent, seek medical care

Prevention

Avoid

  • Raw or undercooked meat or eggs
  • Raw shellfish
  • Alfalfa sprouts
  • Unpasteurized milk, cheese, or juices

Clean

  • Wash hands with warm, soapy water before preparing food
  • Clean food preparation surfaces before and after use
  • Use paper towels or frequently launder cloth towels
  • Wash all items that touched raw meat before reuse

Cook

  • Cook food thoroughly
  • Order food well done at restaurants
  • Learn safe cooking temperatures at FoodSafety.gov

Chill

  • Refrigerate or freeze leftovers within two hours
  • Throw out food left out longer than two hours
  • Divide leftovers into smaller containers for faster cooling
  • Eat refrigerated leftovers within 4 days
  • If in doubt, throw it out

Need help accessing these materials?

Some resources on this page are provided as PDF documents. If you need these materials in an alternative or accessible format, please call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 or contact us—we will provide assistance.

If you have questions about medications or possible poisoning, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222.