Nutrition: Key to Healthy Long Term Care

Presented to HOTWAGS

June 11, 2008

Suzy Weems, PhD, RD, CSSD, LD

Good Nutrition: Essential to Successful Aging

• Essential for– Health– Functionality– Positive quality of life

• Nutrition ‘s role may be– Preventative– Management

Good Nutrition: Essential to Successful Aging

• Nutrition facilitates healthy aging by– Lowering the risk for diseases– Improving / maintaining mental function– Improving physical function– Socially engaging in life

Nutrition Intervention Lowers Risk for Disease

• 80% older population have 1 chronic disease• 50% have 2 or more chronic diseases• Average 75 year old has 3 chronic diseases and

takes 5 prescription drugs• 9 out of 10 of these have a condition that could

be improved through nutrition intervention– 52 – 168 million folks are hypertensive– 54 – 164 million have high cholesterol levels– 132 – 330 million are diabetic

Nutrition Intervention – Mental Function

• Cognition– Nutrients

• Vitamins B-6, B-12, Folate• Minerals – Iron• Water

– Food sources• Lean protein• Fruits• Vegetables• Whole grains

• Attitude

Nutrition Intervention – Physical

• Functional• Dentures• GI tract changes

• Change in body mass• Muscle mass• Fat mass• Water

• Loss of bone• Posture• Security with activity

Nutrition Intervention – Physical

• Eyes– Retinal degeneration

• β-carotene• Dark green or yellow/orange fruits and veggies

– Visual acuity• Fruits • Vegetables • Phytochemicals + vitamins

Nutrition Intervention

• Brain– Short term memory

• B-6 + Ascorbic acid

– Problem solving• Riboflavin + folate + Ascorbic Acid + B-12

– Dementia• Thiamin + niacin + zinc

– Brain tissue degeneration• Pyridoxine• α-tocopherol

Nutrition Intervention – Social

• Spouse / significant other– Person– Pet– Plant

• Congregate Meals

• Meals delivered

Specific Challenges for Optimizing Long Term Nutritional Care

• Eating – Food is a basic need – Mechanical issues

• Appetite – Meet sensory needs– Taste– Feel– Smell

• Restrictive diets– Balance the Benefits & Risks

Specific Challenges for Optimizing Long Term Nutritional Care

• Polypharmacy– Drugs– Herbs– Supplements

• Psychological -- depression

• Balance – Quality of Life & Nutritional Status

Solutions /Strategies

• Dentition– Check with dentist– Alter food texture

• Chop • Steam • Stew• Grate or grind hard foods

– grated carrots & raisin salad

Solutions /Strategies

• Osteoporosis– Weight bearing exercise + calcium rich diet

• Milk – skimmed or buttermilk• Yogurt• Cheese • Lots of green ‘leafies’

Solutions /Strategies

• Challenges with visual acuity– Bright distinct colors – food– Contrast on plate– Big print– Magnifying help with labels

Solutions / Strategies

• Challenges with hearing– Check hearing– ASK for info – Check with the ‘waiter’

Solutions / Strategies

• Challenges with smell / taste– Variety of food flavors– Special diet? Try

• Lemon juice• Vinegar • Dill • Curry

– Reawaken senses to fresh, flavorful foods with texture

Practical Strategy – Eat Food

• Lean Protein – – Muscle Mass / Function– + iron, zinc, B-12, B-6– + calcium, riboflavin, B-12

Practical Strategy – Eat Food

• Fruits – + vitamin C– + β-carotene & other carotenoids– Potassium– Fiber

Practical Strategy – Eat Food

• Vegetables– + vitamin C– + β-carotene & other carotenoids– Fiber

Practical Strategy – Eat Food

• Whole Grain– + vitamin E– + thiamin, riboflavin, niacin– Fiber– Incomplete process

• Selected Fats (nuts, oils, etc)– Omega – 3 fatty acids– Vitamin E

Take Home Message

• Good Nutrition is a major determinate for successful aging

• Good Nutrition is essential for– Health– Independence– Quality of Life

• Message – – Food is the key

Or . . . The better choice