Question

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 health promotion interventions for prevention of nutritional deficits as well as the consequences of inadequate nutrition and hydration.

Answer 1

According to our age metabolism was gradually decreased and became and we don’t process foods and nutrients like we used to. This is why it is important, as the body begins to age and slow down, to get proper nutrition from the foods that we are eating. Fruits and vegetables are a great way to get good nutrients and vitamins. It is really important to get enough B¹² and B⁶ vitamins. B⁶ is good for your immune system and your cognitive function, and also to combat depression. B¹² can help with preventing peripheral neuropathies, balance issues, cognitive issues, and prevent physical disabilities. As people age, the stomach acid is not produced as much and this is where our vitamin B¹² is absorbed. Vitamin D is another major vitamin that lacks as we get older, and needs some help from outside influences. Older people tend to stay out of the sun more as they age and don’t drink as much vitamin D fortified milk as they should. Also the kidneys don’t work as well to convert vitamin D into it’s active form. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to weaker bones and could lead to debilitating bone fractures.

Loss of appetite, medications, changes in taste and smell, oral health, mobility constraints, and lack of income can all have a serious effect on the elderly’s nutrition. Patient teachings could lead you to find out what their favorite food is. Maybe a patient likes sweet potatoes, but only likes them baked. These dietary requests should be noted to be able to give the patient what they would enjoy eating. Drinks like Ensure are great for people who don’t have much of an appetite. I have made shakes with Ensure and ice cream and watched the patient finish the whole drink. Asking the patient questions about favorite fruits can lead to many different recipes that supply nourishment to the person who just doesn’t feel hungry. Hydration is very important to the elderly and if you can get them to drink juices or Ensure types of drinks, then you know they are at least getting some type of electrolyte in their system.

References:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK51837/

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