Jan 27, 2018 · Discuss dietary concerns and barriers for an older adult to maintain appropriate nutrition levels. Identify the types of concerns and barriers they may encounter. Include two client teaching and nursing interventions for prevention of nutritional deficits as well as the consequences of inadequate nutrition and hydration.
Massachusetts Department of Education Child and Adult Care Food Program SPECIAL NUTRITION NEEDS OF OLDER ADULTS • Meet nutrient needs on fewer calories. • Eat a variety of nutritious foods. • Eat more dietary fiber. • Consume enough fluids. • Maintain health and nutritional status. Good Nutrition for Seniors
an average of 0.8 to 1 g/kg of protein 6 (for example, a person who weighs 140 lbs. [63.6 kg] would need 51 g to 64 g of protein per day, which would be accomplished with three servings of any of the following: two 8-oz. cups of milk; 5 tablespoons of peanut butter; one chicken leg; or 3 oz. of canned tuna, hamburger, or American cheese); evidence suggests that synthesis and …
Jan 25, 2017 · Discuss dietary concerns and barriers for an older adult to maintain. appropriate nutrition levels. Identify the types of concerns and barriers they may encounter. Include two client teaching and nursing interventions for prevention of nutritional deficits as well as the consequences of inadequate nutrition and hydration.
Compared to their younger years, older adultsneed fewer calories to maintain their weight.This is because their metabolism tends to slowdown, and because they may be less physicallyactive. The chart at right lists the estimateddaily calorie needs for older adults based ontheir level of physical activity.
As adults get older, they continue to need about 11⁄2 to 2 liters of fluids each day.However, older adults may find it harder to maintain fluid balance, for several reasons:
Poor nutritional health can be caused by eating too little, eating too much, skippingmeals, or eating the same foods day after day. It can also be caused by eating too fewfruits, vegetables, or milk products.
Blood pressure is the force that blood exertsagainst the artery walls. It is measured in twonumbers. The top number is systolic pressure(asthe heart beats). The bottom number is diastolicpressure(as the heart relaxes between beats).Blood pressure is affected by several factors andcan vary over the course of a day. Therefore,blood pressure measures should be repeatedover a few days to get an accurate reading.
They prevent constipation, regulate body temperature, carrynutrients to cells, and regulate the balance of fluids in body cells. They also make it easier for peopleto chew and swallow foods.
Hypoglycemia is low blood sugar. It can occur insomeone with diabetes who is taking medications.Be alert to the signs and symptoms, whichinclude feeling weak, feeling hungry, sweatingmore, or having sudden changes in heartbeat.Immediately test the blood glucose level of a person with these symptoms. If his/her glucoselevel is below 70 mg/dL, the person shouldimmediately consume one of the following:
Dehydration can be a serious health problem for older adults. To prevent dehydration, many expertsrecommend consuming at least 8 cups of fluids each day. Fluids are not limited to water! Fruit juice,milk, soup, fruit, and decaffeinated coffee and tea also count.
Older adults are at risk for poor nutrition as a result of having little or no appetite, problems with eating or swallowing, inadequate servings, fewer than two meals a day, or insufficient hot meals.
As the body ages, physiologic and psychosocial changes set the stage for poor nutrition. In fact, even in America, where obesity is on the rise, undernutrition and malnutrition are widespread in older adults (age of 65 and older).
As described by the IOM, “with aging, a gradual decline in lean body mass and an increase in body fat occur . A reduction in lean body mass results in a lower basal metabolic rate, thus reducing energy needs [that is, required calories] of older persons.” 3 But illness, injury, stress, and activity level may increase a person’s total daily needs.
The “nothing by mouth” order. In preparation for certain diagnostic tests or procedures, patients are often instructed to take nothing by mouth after midnight. When possible, schedule older adults for these tests or procedures early in the day to decrease the length of time they are not allowed to eat and drink.
Rose Ann DiMaria-Ghalili is an associate professor of nursing, School of Nursing, West Virginia University, Charleston Division. She is also a research consultant to the Nursing Research Council at the Charleston Area Medical Center. Elaine Amella is an associate dean for research and an associate professor at the Medical University of South Carolina College of Nursing, Charleston. Contact author, Rose Ann DiMaria-Ghalili: [email protected]. This article is fifth in a series that’s supported in part by a grant from the Atlantic Philanthropies to the Gerontological Society of America. Nancy A. Stotts, EdD, RN, FAAN ( [email protected] ), a John A. Hartford scholar, and Carole E. Deitrich, MS, GNP, RN ( [email protected] ), are the series editors. The authors of this article have no significant ties, financial or otherwise, to any company that might have an interest in the publication of this educational activity.
Older adults who live alone may lose the desire to cook because of loneliness. In fact, Shahar and colleagues found that the appetites of widows often decrease, as does their enjoyment of meals; these factors put them at risk for weight loss. 11 Other older adults may have difficulty cooking for themselves because of disabilities or inexperience in the kitchen. 10 Finally, older adults (especially those in rural areas) can be at high risk for undernutrition if they lack access to transportation to stores.
Protein-energy undernutrition is the type of undernutrition found most often in older adults. It can be caused by either a decrease in intake or the hypermetabolism associated with certain conditions (such as trauma, fever, and surgery). According to the Institute of Medicine (IOM), a diagnosis of protein-energy undernutrition requires both “clinical and biochemical evidence of insufficient intake.” 3 Physical signs include wasting, a low body mass index (BMI), and biochemical evidence such as decreased serum albumin or other serum protein levels. Marasmus and kwashiorkor are two frequently discussed kinds of protein-energy undernutrition.