8 - Nutrition, Safe Feeding, and Oral Care Flashcards
10 Factors impacting older adult’s nutritional needs
1) Age-related changes
2) Lifelong eating habits
3) Ethnicity
4) Socialization
5) Income
6) Transportation
7) Housing
8) Food Knowledge
9) Health
10) Dentition
Lifelong Eating habits
- influenced by tradition, religion, and social influences
Interventions
- promote nutrient rich diet
Income
- adults with low income have to chose bw their basis need (ie. food, heat, shelter)
Interventions
- food stamps
- food banks
- income supplements
Socialization
- older adults often experience social isolation
- cooking and eating alone can cause them to overindulge or be uninterested in eating
Interventions
- home delivery meals
- shared dining sites/spaces
Transportation and Housing
- functional impairments can restrict their ability to carry groceries
- available transportation to restaurants and grocery stores is limited
Interventions
- home meal delivery
- group shopping trips
- online grocery shopping
Nutritional Needs
- there should be emphasis on fluid intake bec older adults have decreases thirst sensation
Malnutrition causes:
1) Clinical signs - muscle wasting, low body mass index (weight loss)
2) Biochemical changes - decreased albumin
Consequences: infections, pressure ulcers, anemia, hypotension, impaired cognition, and increased mortality and morbidity
Psychosocial Risk Factors of Malnutrition
- Limited income
- Misuse of alcohol
- Isolation &loneliness
- Depression
- Memory loss
- Inability topartake in usual cultural patterns
Mechanical Risk Factors of Malnutrition
- Reduced strength/mobility
- Diminished vision
- Loss of teeth or chewingdifficulties
- Shortness ofbreath
- Polypharmacy
- Inability togrocery shop or prepare food
Comprehensive assessment of malnutrition includes
- interview
- diet history
- physical exam
-biochemical exam
Assessment for Malnutrition: Interview
- recent life changes
- current state of health
- social activities
- how food is prepared
- financial resources
- how food i obstained
visual difficulties - meds
- mouth pain
- bowel and bladder function
Assessment for Malnutrition: Diet History
- compare their diet with their age and with the gender specific recommendations from the food guide
Assessment for Malnutrition: Physical Exam
- vital signs
- functionality
- general appearance
- skin turgor, texture, colour
- heigh, weight, BMI
- condition of lips, mouth, tongue
Assessment for Malnutrition: Biochemical Exam
- serum albumin (protein)
- cholesterol
- serum transferrin (iron transport protein)
Risk factors for inadequate nutrition amongst residents in LTC include:
- social isolation
- long periods of nothing by mouth
- resricted diets
- insufficient support from staff for meals