Nutrition Across the Lifespan: Adults and Older Adults

Once you find your program and enroll with Total Home Health, the initial visit with one of our nursing professionals will include your one-on-one participation in an in-depth assessment.  This assessment takes place so we can get to know one another, and so that we know how to provide the most optimal care to you in order to go above and beyond meeting your needs.  Each visit thereafter will not be as in-depth, but please know that our professionals are highly-skilled and attentive to any changes that would need to be reported to maintain continuity of your care and see that it never takes any steps back.

As for the assessment process, nurses will assess your nutritional, physical, and mental health status.  Please note that you should feel free to interrupt and ask questions or express concern to our professionals at any time during the assessment, as always.  Nutrition is a big deal, and a balanced diet for all adults is approximately 40 – 50% carbohydrates and 10 – 20% fat.  As far as dietary protein goes, once you reach older adulthood, a greater intake of protein would not be a bad idea.  It is advised for older adults to decrease the total calories consumed daily because there is a decrease in the metabolic rate, which could result in weight gain.  The decrease in the metabolic rate occurs because of the reduction of lean body mass due to the aging process.  The outlook regarding exercise, of course, is always going to be unchanged and it will be encouraged throughout your lifespan.  Therefore, our professionals will always try to get you up and going as much as you can tolerate. 

As a home health care company we understand that you express interest in us because you can no longer fully care for yourself at home like you used to.  As an older adult you may have physical, mental, and social changes that affect your ability to do things such as purchase, prepare, and even digest food.  Dehydration is the most common fluid and electrolyte imbalance in older adults.  Some causes of dehydration include use of multiple medications, which could cause fluid loss, whereas some disease processes could cause you to be required to limit your fluids.  Our nursing professionals will touch on each area and to determine all your needs with our thorough assessments.

Following are nutritional concerns related to the adult and older adult age groups:

·         You may have oral problems such as dentures that do not fit correctly, difficulty chewing or swallowing, and a decrease in salivation.

·         A decreased cellular function and reduced body reserves leads to decreased absorption of B12, folic acid, and calcium which are important for your whole body in various ways.

·         Decrease in insulin production and its sensitivity.

·         Decreased elasticity of blood vessels can lead to high blood pressure.

·         Kidney function may decrease as much as 50% in older adults.

·         Decreased amount of lean muscle mass…don’t forget that exercise can help to counteract your loss of muscle mass.

·         Loss of calcium can cause a decrease in bone density, making you more prone to fractures.

·         Immunity decreases as you age.

Supplemental vitamins are recommended to administer in the older adult population because dietary absorption begins to decrease with age.  Also, it is important for you to know that having a regular exercise routine can improve your bone density, help to relieve depression, and enhance function of your heart and respiratory system.  Following are how the potential impact of physical, mental, and social changes may affect your nutrition:

·         Arthritis can interfere with the purchase and preparation of foods.

·         Alzheimer’s disease can cause impairments in memory and judgment that end up making shopping, storing, and cooking food difficult.

·         Loss of smell and vision interfere with the interest in eating food.

·         Being overweight puts you at risk for having an increased blood pressure, diabetes, and heart complications.

·         Food may have to be cut into smaller pieces and liquids may have to be thickened to help with any chewing and swallowing difficulties.

·         Isolation may cause poor nutrition due to lack of interest and interaction, socialization will always be encouraged when you are enrolled with Total Home Health.

·         Having a fixed income may make it difficult to purchase food.  We will refer you to outside sources that can provide you meal services free of charge, or at a discounted rate depending upon your location.

Total Home Health has a program to suit all your nutritional needs.  Our highly-skilled and understanding staff are ready to bring our outstanding services to you.  Promotion of your well-being and keeping you on the right track is just a start of what we strive for.  So get ready, you’re in for a positive and exciting journey!

Guidelines for Healthy Eating

Nutrition is vital in order for us to maintain optimal health.  Good dietary habits cannot be reinforced enough in the health care setting.  Making healthy food choices and controlling our weight are both important steps in promotion of our own health to reduce our risk factors for disease.  Total Home Health nursing professionals understand how important nutrition is so that your body can function at its best.  While involved in your care, our nurses will encourage favorable nutritional choices and will serve as informational resources for you regarding guidelines for healthy eating. 

Following are some dietary guidelines that will be followed by Total Home Health if your condition warrants.  You and your loved ones should take into consideration these guidelines:

•   Balance your energy intake with your energy expenditure by selecting a wide variety of foods, you should limit saturated and transaturated fat, sugars, sodium, and alcohol.

• Exercise routines will be established to promote your heart health, muscle strength and endurance, and psychological well-being
•   Consumption of fiber-rich fruits and vegetables should be consumed at a minimum of five servings per day in order to decrease risk factors for certain cancers.
•   Choose to consume the good types of fats by eating fish, lean meats, nuts, and vegetable oils. 
•   Limit your intake of sugar and starchy foods to decrease risk of dental problems.
•   Consume less than 1 teaspoon of salt per day by limiting canned and processed foods.  Preparing foods without salt is also a plus.
•   If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation.  Moderation means drinking up to one drink per day for women and two per day for men. 
•   Follow all food safety guidelines when preparing, cooking, and storing your food.  Avoid consuming raw eggs and milk or juice that is unpasteurized.

Although those guidelines may sound extensive and prove to be rather difficult to follow, we understand at Total Home Health that your dietary changes are not going to happen overnight.  We are willing to move at your pace, but only forward.  Care of each client will be individualized and dependent upon their specific health condition(s).  Our nursing professionals will have a close working relationship with other members of your health care team, allowing you to be a part of the best home care service possible.

Within our guidelines of healthy eating that we work hard and strive to follow are also strategies for the promotion of specific areas of your health as follows:

•   Guidelines to a healthy heart:

Ø  Limit intake of saturated fat and cholesterol

Ø  Limit intake of sodium to help lower your blood pressure

•   Guidelines to a healthy nervous system:

Ø  Make sure to consume adequate amounts of B-complex vitamins in your diet, especially thiamin, niacin, and vitamins B6 and B12.

Ø  Consume the recommended servings from the grain and dairy food groups in order to intake adequate calcium and sodium that are both important regulators of nerve responses.

•   Guidelines to healthy bones:

Ø  Consume the recommended amount of dairy servings that is necessary for bone formation, and also for the vitamin D.

Ø  Remember that weight bearing activity, even if you just go for your daily walk, is essential to decrease your risk of osteoporosis.

•   Guidelines for good bowel function:

Ø  Normal bowel functioning depends on an adequate intake of fluids and fiber.

Ø  Fruits, vegetables, and grains will provide you with the essential nutrients to maintain a healthy bowel function.

•   Guidelines for cancer prevention:

Ø  Maintenance of a well-balanced diet and a healthy weight are important.

Ø  You should work to increase your intake of high-fiber, plant-based foods.

Ø  Emphasize intake of foods such as nuts and fish to get plenty of the “good” fats.

Ø  Limit your intake of sodium.

Ø  Avoid any excess alcohol intake.

Ø  Include regular physical activity.

Total Home Health undoubtedly has a program that is right for you and your condition.  Our professionals will all work closely together to determine what diet is recommended just for you.  We will educate you on what you should include in your diet, along with what you should work to avoid.  Our passion is helping you stay healthy and lead a productive, independent life for as long as possible.  Is it really worth it to wait any longer?  Enroll today!

Ingestion, Digestion, Absorption, and Metabolism

Eating is something we all probably love to do, which is a good thing so we can get all the nutrients our bodies need in order to stay healthy and in tune.  Once we chew up our food and swallow it, or swallow what we are drinking, a bunch of new processes begin in order for our bodies to squeeze out all the nutrients it needs to function.  This is where ingestion, digestion, absorption, and metabolism come into play.

Ingestion is the process that occurs when food is consumed by our mouth and then moved through the digestive system.  Digestion is a systemic process that includes the breakdown and absorption of various nutrients.  Absorption occurs as different nutrients pass through the digestive system into your bloodstream and lymphatic system.  Metabolism then is the sum of all the chemical processes that occur on a cellular level in order to maintain your health.

Sounds like quite a process, doesn’t it?  It occurs so fast that we usually don’t even pay any attention to it…all we do is hope that it works like it’s supposed too.  Total Home Health has various programs for all your nutrition needs and understand that even though we love eating, sometimes it can be discomforting.  When our professionals come into your home we understand that your health and well-being is a huge responsibility.  Our goal are to promote your health and prevent you from having any complications that could have negative effects on your way of life.  We know that taking multiple medications is something you most likely do on a daily basis.  Our professionals with Total Home Health understand that your nutrition can play a crucial role in how your medications work and affect your body.  Therefore, it is very important to us to be aware, and always take into consideration what your daily medication regimen is along with what your daily diet consists of.

At this point we will shift our focus to the next and final point of this discussion, the metabolic rate.  What is the metabolic rate?  It refers to the speed at which food energy is burned.  In general men have a higher metabolic rate than women because of their higher amount of body muscle and decreased amount of fat.  If you experience acute stress, it could cause an increase in your metabolism and blood sugar levels, and the following could also happen:

·         A deficiency in protein is a major nutritional concern during acute stress, because stress hormones target protein and break it down very rapidly.

·         Protein deficiency then increases your risk of complications including skin breakdown, delays in wound healing, infections, failure of organs, makes you more prone to ulcers, and could make your medications work differently.

·         Inadequate intake of protein in your diet can prevent your body from adapting correctly and compensating during times of stress.  This is why close monitoring of your diet is important to us at Total Home Health.

Other important tips and good things to know related to your metabolic rate include what both increases and decreases it.  The following items will increase your metabolism:

·         Having a fever

·         Muscle tremors that you cannot control (shivering or with Parkinson’s)

·         Hyperthyroidism

·         Cancer

·         Heart failure

·         High blood pressure

·         COPD

·         Burns and surgery

·         Wound healing

In contrast if you or your loved one has hypothyroidism, it will decrease your metabolism.  Total Home Health understands how complicated this process can seem, despite it happening all so quickly.  Our nursing professionals will do all we can to the best of our abilities to provide you with a diet regimen that is well-balanced for your specific needs.  Following are some tips we would like to extend to you and your loved ones if you need to increase your dietary calories and protein:

·         Substitute whole milk for water in recipes when cooking.

·         Add cheese, peanut butter, or yogurt to foods.

·         Dip meats in eggs or milk and coat with bread crumbs before cooking.

·         Remember that nuts and beans are significant sources of protein, and they are good alternatives for a dairy allergy or lactose intolerance.

Once you enroll with Total Home Health, our professionals will always be attentive to your holistic care.  Holistic care means we will include every aspect of your plan of care and treatment, whether it is administering your medications or helping you to make positive changes to your diet.  We understand that all parts of the spectrum related to your care will be in our hands and we are ready to show you how we can create positive changes in your life.  Let’s get started today!