There is a body of literature on physical status and nutrition intake in the elderly that has looked at functional status as a predictor of nutrition intake, and conversely, nutrition intake as a predictor of functional status (An, et al, 2015; Evans et al, 2010; Brewer et al, 2010; Ribeiro, et al., 2016; Shikany et al, 2013; Ziliak, Gundersen, & Haist, 2008). For example, adequate nutrient intake can reduce the effects of functional limitations in the elderly, and conversely, undernutrition can increase risks of physical, mental, and social impairment (Kleinpell et al, 2008; Sharkey et al, 2003). Moreover, as the number of functional limitations increases the risks of poor nutritional intake increase among the elderly (Bartali et al, 2003).
Mayo Clinic Staff. "Caregivers." Senior Health: How to Prevent and Detect Malnutrition. N.p., 23 Sept. 2011. Web. 28 Mar. 2014.
Eating nutrients and healthy foods determines health and are essentials for living a better life. Based off of past knowledge
Whitney, E., DeBruyne, L. K., Pinna, K., & Rolfes, S. R. (2007). Nutrition through the Life Span: Childhood and Adolescence . Nutrition for health and health care (3rd ed., pp. 301-329). Belmount: Thomson/Wadsworth.
Nutrition plays a significant role in the human lifecycle because it provides energy, helps prevent diseases and promotes growth. The first documented evidence associating dietary restriction and aging came in 1935 in a study conducted by McCay et al that found that reducing the amount of calories consumed by 20% without causing malnourishment increased the lifespan and resistance to age related diseases in a rodent model (Colman et al., 2009; Sinclair, 2005). Typically a reduction of 10-40% of calorie intake is suggested by several authors as being effective in lengthening life, although a recent study using 30% dietary restriction was found to be ineffective in doing so in rhesus monkeys (Mattison et al., 2012).
5. Williamson, C. Dietary Factors and Depression in Older People. British Journal of Community Nursing, 14:422-426, 2009.
Ageing is not inevitably associated with failing health, but many elderly people are living with one or more long-term medical conditions and for a significant number, advancing age brings complications
The World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that health conditions associated with the ageing process are arthritis, stroke, heart disease, cancer and diabetes. These health concerns can be avoided...
If we can control the consumptions of foods and drinks, we can have a prolonged life. The intake of healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables and even home made meals increase...
Ultimately, these physiological changes result in different nutritional needs for the elderly. The Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Sciences issues the Recommended Daily Allowances for healthy people over the age of 51. However, these RDAs are limited in that they have been derived from studies of younger, healthy populations and do not account ...
Malnutrition in the elderly is often underdiagnosed. Careful nutritional assessment is necessary for both the successful diagnosis and development of comprehensive treatment plans for malnutrition in this population. My residents prefer to eat traditional Korean food and they go grocery shopping once in twice week and spend around $100 each. They receive extra foods such as canned goods, juices, cerealetc. from the nutrition program for senior.Although they maintainhealthy eating with balanced diet with variety of food sources, their BMI are less than body requirement. Thus, from the short assessment for nutritious condition of my residents (nutritional history, dietary restriction or history, medical history) and from the grocery shopping assessment, I recommend them theimportance of maintaining adequate caloric intake; minimum Kcal 2000 per day including the basic four group of food as well as vitamins and mineral adequately, provide referral to community nutritional resources such as Meals-on-Wheels or hot lunch programs for seniors as indicated and encourage exercise to increase appetite. Lastly, I recommend them to establish appropriate short and long range of goal otherwise they may lose interest in addressing this
Although the primary intention of this plan is to help the older adult who lives in a rural community setting in an individual or sharing setting, this plan could potentially be used in an assisted living and or nursing home setting. For the individual who lives in a nursing home hopefully the food that is being served is prepared by someone who is providing a nutritional food plan. In this setting the nutritional classes may not be necessary, however the other components of this plan would still be very necessary for these individuals. Nursing home residents are sometimes neglected in encouragement for physical activity. Older adults need to be encourage to move and use physical activity as means to continue support their physical mobility but do not always have a healthy perception of physical activity (Janssen & Stube, 2014). The nursing staff may be very busy with the other patients who need their care and not be able to provide the encouragement and or space for the patient who is mobile to participate in physical activities. As with the other examples this plan may also encourage the older adult in the nursing home setting to be more active and social and reap the benefits of a good mental health
Loue, S. and Sajatovic, M. 2007. Encyclopedia of aging and public health. New York: Springer.
Gordon’s functional health pattern was proposed and developed by Marjory Gordon. It is the method used by nurse to provide a comprehensive assessment on the client. Gordon’s functional health pattern is divided into 11 categories. These categories are a systematic and standardized approach to data collection. Each of the categories enables the nurse to determine the different factors of health and human function. These categories are health perception and health management, nutrition and metabolism, urine and waste elimination, activity and exercise, cognition and perception, sleep and rest, self-perception and self-concept, roles and relationships, sexuality and reproduction, coping and stress tolerance, and values and belief (Functional Health Patterns, 2005).
As a person grows old, it is inevitable to have both physical and cognitive changes happen throughout their lifetime. In an average life span, a person’s physical and cognitive changes will normally vary depending on what age group they are in. For example, it is said that from birth to age five, a child will absorb more information including how to talk, language, form relationships, and fine motor skills than any other age. It is also said that that most rapid decline in physical ability is in older adults ranging from a loss in eyesight to severe dementia.
Murray, F. (1994). Weight Management: The Key to Disease Prevention. Better Nutrition for Today's Living, 56(7), 44.