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By Paul Cain, Ph.D. and Donna Holm, CPA –
The top three reasons causing seniors to be admitted to the hospital are 1) Falls, 2) Medication Mismanagement and 3) Malnutrition. For the first two, the preventive measures are straight forward and everyone can relate. “Always use your walker and take your pills on time, Grandma.”
When it comes to poor nutrition, however, things are not as simple.
Undernourishment and malnutrition are serious problems for America’s growing 65 and older population. While estimates vary widely, the American Dietetics Association has reported that between 35 percent and 85 percent of seniors are at risk for being under or malnourished. The need for awareness about senior nutrition is growing by the day. America is getting older — the number of older adults will double in the next 30 years.
Adequate nutrition is critical to allowing seniors to retain their vitality, their overall quality of life and their independence as long as possible. Malnutrition can be the lack of proper nutrition, not only a lack of food. Many older people no longer eat as much as they should. They lose interest all together or just peck away at their meals. But even seniors who eat enough may be eating the wrong foods to keep themselves healthy. Not all seniors with nutrition problems are thin – in some cases, dietary concerns apply to seniors who are overweight. Malnutrition often works its physically destructive evil while remaining undercover, and good old denial keeps it in this hidden stealth mode.
In the Home Health Care industry it is well known that poor nutrition can lead to a much faster loss of Lean Body Mass (LBM) than anything else. It may seem obvious, but a conscientious caregiver will often experience the need to explain to families that people never outlive the need for good nutrition. It really isn’t okay for Grandma to just eat what she likes, when she feels like it and as much as she likes. Without encouragement, nutrient monitoring and social interaction, Grandma’s life can be significantly shortened due to inadequate dietary practices.
Malnutrition is caused by a combination of a nutrient-poor diet, too little food and poor absorption and it can be compounded by physical, emotional and social problems.
Physical – Good nutrition plays an important role in overall health. A healthy diet can slow the onset of diseases and help seniors manage symptoms that impact lifestyle and longevity. Diseases like diabetes, dementia, heart disease and vision loss can be managed in part with a healthy diet.
Emotional – While regularly unrecognized and untreated in older adults, depression affects as many as 6 million Americans over 65. Grief, loneliness, isolation, failing health, retirement, lack of mobility, concurrent illnesses, medications and especially malnutrition make depression worse.
Social – It can become more difficult for homebound seniors to plan, purchase and prepare nutritious meals. Lack of access to transportation may force them to rely more on caregivers.
Many of us participate in food drives during the holiday season and we experience that as one way to ‘give back’ to our community, especially to those who are the most needy. Part of giving back should include, however, promoting an awareness of the causes behind avoidable hospitalizations.
Along with fall prevention and medication management, both family and professional caregivers need to learn what to look for and how to help many seniors improve their diet. Closer observation, healthier meal preparation and interactive care at meal times can often make all the difference in avoiding the effects of malnutrition. – Just ask any truly great caregiver!
Detecting Hunger and Malnutrition in Seniors
WATCH is a mnemonic that makes it easier to remember the five steps when observing nutrition in their loved ones:
- Watch for physical problems. Look for bruising, dental difficulties, or sudden or sustained weight gain or weight loss.
- Ask seniors about their eating habits. What and when did they eat? How have their tastes or preferences changed?
- Talk to a doctor. Discuss nutritional needs or problems specific to the loved ones’ unique needs or management of diseases.
- Check with a pharmacist. They can warn you of the potential for drug-food interactions or possible side effects of prescribed medications.
- Have your visits during mealtime. This is the best time to observe eating habits first-hand.
Paul Cain, Ph.D. is the Owner and Operator of ‘Comfort Keepers’® serving Northern Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast with offices in Jupiter and Stuart.
Dr. Cain’s professional career has been in executive management of OTC pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities as well as in the healthcare service industry, with undergraduate and graduate degrees in philosophy, psychology and sociology. He currently serves as President of the Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Association of the Treasure Coast and is active as an Adjunct Professor with Indian River State College.
Donna Holm, CPA and her daughter, Darcy Holm are the Owners and Operators of ‘Comfort Keepers’® serving Central Palm Beach County, with an office in downtown West Palm Beach.
Ms. Holm is a Certified Senior Advisor. In addition, she has nearly 30 years experience in various accounting and operational roles, with a niche in healthcare management, and holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in accounting and management. She has received awards for the development of Best Practices and served as an Adjunct Professor with Florida Atlantic University.
Comfort Keeper® provides non-medical in-home care. All caregivers – or Comfort Keepers – in more than 650 offices nationwide are employees who are thoroughly screened, trained and oriented to the specific family Care Plan for the individual client. For information – Call the local office near you or visit our website at: www.comfortkeepers.com
Comfort Keepers
561.694.1950 – Jupiter/PBG 561.833.7355 – West Palm Beach
