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!