The Raritan Valley YMCA (www.raritanvalleyymca.org) has teamed up with the Middlesex County Office of Aging & Disabled Services at 732-745-3295 to increase public awareness of services and opportunities for county seniors, the disabled, and their caregivers.
Food safety is very important and older adults are more at risk to be hospitalized or die from foodborne illness. There is an increased risk of foodborne illness because our organs and body systems change as we age. Here are some examples of how are body systems and organs change:
- The liver and kidneys may not properly rid the body of foreign bacteria and toxins.
- The stomach may not produce enough acid which helps reduce the number of bacteria in our intestinal tract.
- The body’s immune response to disease grows weaker.
To help decrease this risk it is important to make safer food choices. If you are 65 or older, or prepare food for someone who is, you should follow four steps according to FoodSafety.gov:
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- Clean: Wash your hands, utensils and surfaces often. Germs can spread and survive in many places.
- Separate: Raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs can spread germs to ready-to-eat foods, so keep them separate.
- Cook: Food is safely cooked when the internal temperature is high enough to kill germs that can make you sick.
- Chill: Refrigerate perishable food within 2 hours. If the food is exposed to temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit (like a hot car or picnic), refrigerate it within 1 hour.
For general health information and area wide programs and services for senior citizens and disabled persons residing in the county visit https://www.middlesexcountynj....
For exercise class schedules and membership information stop by the YMCA at 144 Tices lane or call 732-257-4114
