October 16, 2024
Did you know that older adults are particularly susceptible to malnutrition? Malnutrition can happen as a result of a range of factors, from loneliness to medical conditions. It can happen in the home and in a care setting.
The American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) emphasizes nutrition as a patient right with a vital role in health and recovery. Here are some facts from ASPEN about malnutrition:
- Malnutrition, when unrecognized and untreated, results in longer hospital stays for patients, twice the need for rehab or long-term care, and a 2.3 times higher rate of hospital deaths. (1)
- While older adults are particularly susceptible to malnutrition, others at risk include people with infections; those with long-term health conditions including kidney disease, diabetes, and lung disease; and people with cancer, dementia, and other chronic conditions. (2)
It is important to know the signs and symptoms of malnutrition. If you or your loved one is experiencing any of these, talk to your healthcare provider:
- Unplanned weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Not able to eat or only able to eat small amounts
- Feeling weak or tired
- Swelling or fluid accumulation
Why do older adults get malnutrition?
Malnutrition in older adults can happen due to a variety of factors, often intertwined, that affect their ability to maintain a healthy diet. Here are some of the most common reasons:
- Physical challenges: As people age, they may face physical difficulties such as poor dental health, difficulty swallowing, or decreased sense of taste or smell, which can reduce their appetite and interest in eating.
- Mobility issues: Limited mobility can make it hard for seniors to shop for groceries or cook meals, leading to a reliance on convenience foods that may be less nutritious.
- Medical conditions: Chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and dementia can influence dietary restrictions, appetite, and the ability to eat and absorb nutrients.
- Medications: Some medications can reduce appetite, alter the taste of food, or interfere with the body’s ability to absorb nutrients.
- Psychological factors: Depression, loneliness, and social isolation can decrease appetite and the motivation to prepare and eat meals.
- Economic factors: Financial constraints might prevent purchasing sufficient or nutrient-rich foods.
- Lack of knowledge: Some seniors may not know which diet is most appropriate for their age and health conditions.
How Wellspring can help
At Wellspring Personal Care, preparing nutritious meals (and feeding or enteral feeding, if needed) is one of our many services, whether the client is receiving home care or home nursing care. What’s more, our caregivers are trained to recognize the signs of potential malnutrition or dehydration and report any concerns to our director of nursing. Contact us for more information about our services.
- Guenter P, Abdelhadi R, Anthony P, et al. Malnutrition diagnoses and associated outcomes in hospitalized patients: United States, 2018. Nutr Clin Pract. 2021 Oct;36(5):957-969.
- Tappenden KA, Quatrara B, Parkhurst ML, et al. Critical role of nutrition in improving quality of care: an interdisciplinary call to action to address adult hospital malnutrition. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2013;37(4):482-497.
Source: American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition