Old Adults Flashcards
Older adults Overview
Older population growin
Nutrition should be considered regarding function and not age
Now a new image of an older adult
Transition from work to not working
Physiological changes in old adults
Fluid balance and renal function Skeletal changes Physical fitness Changes to immune system Body composition
Changes in body composition in older adults
Loss of bone and muscle Gastrointestinal tract -Teeth loss -Changes in sense -Atrophic gastritis (limits B12)
Older adults and medication
More likely to be chronically ill
Mor medications that compete separately and inhibit nutrition
Differing social an economic situations
Examples of old adults being heterogeneity
Free living
Institutionalized
Hospitalized
Nursing home
Malnutrition
Poor nutrition encompasses inadequate and excess intake
Types of malnutrition
Specific
Long standing
Sudden
Recurrent
Specific malnutrition
Deficiency of a particular nutrient
Long standing malnutrition
Clinical appearance of energy and nutrient deficiencies after inadequate eating (neglact)
Sudden malnutrtion
Disruptive life event such as a fall or bereavement
Recurrent malnutrition
Existing inadequate nutritional status followed by period of illness and subsequent malnutrition
Obesity from 85 onwards
Being overweight may protect and individual
Leading to better life
Assessment of status for the very old
BMI
Demispan index
Demispan index
Middle of chest to tip of middle finger
This does not shrink so can predict actual height
Underweight mean in the very old
Mortality lower in overweight and obese
Hospital stay greater than 14 days higher in underweight than overweight
Nutrition in the old
Prevention of weight loss is important
Being undernourished drains NHS (longer stays etc)
Prevalence of malnutrition
5-10% of independent
30-60% if institutionalized
35-60% of hospitalized
85% in nursing homes
Sarcopenia
Loss of muscle mass and function
Women loose 0.6kg year
Men loos 1.6kg a year
causes of sarcopenia
Sex hormones Mitochondrial dysfunction Inadequate use Inadequate nutrition Endocrine reason
Gastrointestinal changes
Nutrients may not be digest or absorbed as well
-Atrophic gastritis
Decrease in hormones and enzyme production
Dentias and dry mouth
Polypharmacy
Multiple drugs at once
Warfarin reduces vitamin K absorption
Should be checked by dietician in hospital
Social and economic changes
People who eat and cook alone eat less and less varied
Limited income - own financial challenges
Older people more likely to have comfort food that are high in fat and carbs
