what they eat and drink is important in helping them get better. The more sodium and fluid they consume, the more they will hold, or retain, in their body. This can cause edema, worsen their condition and make it more difficult for their heart to function.

As a result, it is critical that your elderly parents limit their sodium and their fluids.

Recently, I read a patient education pamphlet on congestive heart failure (CHF)--a common condition in the elderly-- that I thought may be of interest to many of you. Even if your parent does not have this condition now, keep these tips close by in case you need some help in the future.

Following are 11 tips for limiting sodium and fluids for CHF patients, courtesy of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) recognized recently by the U.S. News & World Report's Best Hospitals survey as among the top ranked hospitals in the nation.

Sodium

1. If there is 250 mg of sodium or more in a serving of any food, that is a lot. Avoid it unless you can work it into your daily allowance of 2,000 mg. per day.

2. Avoid salt. One teaspoon of salt has 2,360 mg of sodium. That is more than you should get in a whole day! Even teaspoon of salt has 590 mg.

3. Do not add salt to your food while cooking or at the table. Instead try using fresh or dried herbs or spices to season your food. Do not use a salt substitute, unless your doctor says this is okay.

4. Avoid snack foods with visible salt such as potato chips, salted crackers, pretzels and salted nuts.

5. Check ingredients. Avoid products that contain the following words: salt, sodium, sodium chloride, monosodium glutamate (MSG), brine, broth, corned, pickled or smoked.

6. Always think fresh and eat fresh. Jarred, canned and boxed foods generally are higher in sodium than fresh foods.

Eventually, your elderly parent will get used to eating a lower in sodium diet. But be patient, it may take several weeks.

In addition, your physician may limit your parents fluid intake. Consult with him/her to see what he recommends. Keep in mind that crushed ice, fruited gelatin, plain gelatin, ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbet and popsicles count as fluids.

Here are five tips to manage your parents thirst and fluid intake if they have CHF:

1. Add lemon juice to ice water or crushed ice.

2. Suck on lemon drops, tart hard candies or chew gum. Use sugar free candy or gum if your parent is diabetic.

3. Suck on a lemon slice.

4. Crushed ice or ice cubes can curb thirst. Count on cup of ice as just cup of fluid.

5. Eat mandarin oranges, grapefruit sections or grapes (regular or frozen).