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
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