Caring for Older Adults Holistically, 4th Edition Chapter Six Nutrition for Older Adults

Caring for Older Adults Holistically, 4th Edition Nutrition  Amount of food needed to maintain health changes over a lifespan  Metabolism slows as a person ages  Identify physical changes related to aging that impact nutrition

Caring for Older Adults Holistically, 4th Edition Nutritional Assessment  Assessments may vary depending on facility  Assess nutritional risks  Illness that may have impact on nutrition  Difficulty chewing or swallowing  Weight gain or loss  Regular eating habits

Caring for Older Adults Holistically, 4th Edition Nutritional Assessment  Nutritional risks (cont.)  Types of food normally eaten  Resources to purchase food  Ability to shop for and prepare meals  Medications

Caring for Older Adults Holistically, 4th Edition Nutritional Needs of Older Adults  Nutritional needs change with age, physical activity, and health status  Nutritious food is important for healing during an illness  Three critical food groups found in various foods  Carbohydrates  Proteins  Fats

Caring for Older Adults Holistically, 4th Edition Carbohydrates  Complex  Break down over a longer period of time  More nutritious  Simple  Easier to digest  Quick source of energy

Caring for Older Adults Holistically, 4th Edition Carbohydrates  Carbohydrates come from  Grains, beans, nuts, milk, meat, fruits, vegetables, honey, sugar, syrup  Simple carbohydrates come from milk and foods high in sugar

Caring for Older Adults Holistically, 4th Edition Proteins  Assist in building and repairing body tissue  Structural and functional  Proteins come from plants and animals  Grains, dried beans, dark green and yellow vegetables  Meat, fish, poultry, milk products

Caring for Older Adults Holistically, 4th Edition Proteins  Amino acids are the basis for proteins  Essential  Body cannot make; must come from food  Non-essential  Body can make  Blood nitrogen levels are measured to determine adequate protein in body

Caring for Older Adults Holistically, 4th Edition Fats  Support and protection of internal organs  Sustain body temperature  Assist with absorption of vitamins A, D, E, and K  Fats come from plants, plant oils, meat, fish, and eggs

Caring for Older Adults Holistically, 4th Edition Vitamins  Vitamins extracted from foods or supplements  Water soluble—B, C  Fat soluble—A, D, E, and K  Vitamin A  Vision, healthy hair, skin, gums, other body functions

Caring for Older Adults Holistically, 4th Edition Vitamins  Vitamin B complex  Nervous system, healthy tissue, prevent dementia, metabolism, production of hemoglobin, formation of body cells  Vitamin C  Build and repair body tissue and bones, keep teeth and gums healthy

Caring for Older Adults Holistically, 4th Edition Vitamins  Vitamin D  Absorption of calcium and phosphorus for maintenance of bone tissue and other body functions  Vitamin E  Prevents breakdown of red blood cells, aids in wound healing

Caring for Older Adults Holistically, 4th Edition Vitamins  Vitamin K  Blood clotting, bone development

Caring for Older Adults Holistically, 4th Edition Minerals  Inorganic substances found in nature and human body  Macrominerals—electrolytes  Calcium  Bones and teeth, blood clotting, muscle and nerve activity, digestion, maintenance of blood pressure  Phosphorous  Bone maintenance, metabolism, cell maintenance

Caring for Older Adults Holistically, 4th Edition Minerals  Macrominerals (cont.)  Magnesium  Energy, maintaining cell membranes, muscle activity, metabolism  Sodium  Fluid balance, nerve and muscle function, glucose activity

Caring for Older Adults Holistically, 4th Edition Minerals  Macrominerals (cont.)  Chloride  Fluid balance, digestion  Potassium  Fluid balance, nervous and musculoskeletal systems’ function, insulin release, metabolic activities

Caring for Older Adults Holistically, 4th Edition Minerals  Trace minerals  Iron  Production of hemoglobin, aiding in metabolism  Zinc  Wound healing, insulin storage  Iodine  Component of thyroid hormone, regulates metabolism

Caring for Older Adults Holistically, 4th Edition Minerals  Trace minerals (cont.)  Selenium  Healing, preventing disease, metabolic activities  Copper  Produce hemoglobin  Manganese  Metabolic functions, blood clotting

Caring for Older Adults Holistically, 4th Edition Minerals  Trace minerals  Chromium  Improves glucose metabolism  Molybdenum  Metabolic activities  Fluoride  Bone and dental integrity

Caring for Older Adults Holistically, 4th Edition Water  Essential component of older adult’s nutrition plan  Important for maintenance of temperature  Easiest dietary means of fluid intake  Amount of water needed determined by:  Age, gender, chronic disease, physical activity, heat exposure

Caring for Older Adults Holistically, 4th Edition Body Electrolytes  Electrolytes  Calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, chloride  Must be maintained in a state of neutrality  Moved through body by fluids

Caring for Older Adults Holistically, 4th Edition Laboratory Tests  Laboratory tests are performed to measure body’s nutritional state

Caring for Older Adults Holistically, 4th Edition Diet Plans  Various diet plans exist  Regular  Modified  Clear liquid  Full liquid  Soft  Therapeutic  Use diet plan most appropriate for the patient