By: Jennifer Beach, LSW, MA, C-SWCM
Jim’s mom, Eleanor, is 82 years old. She has been in a long-term care setting (often referred to as a nursing home) for the past year. She had a fall in her home resulting in a hip fracture. Eleanor never fully recovered and continued to require significant assistance. Living alone in her multi-level home simply was not an option. Her mobility was greatly reduced; she slowly and consistently began to lose weight and decline.
Unfortunately, this scenario is all too common, specifically losing weight after a medical event and/or as an individual ages. As we age, our activity level declines and eating less is to be expected. However, as eating consumption lessens, it is likely that nutrient intake declines, as well. Intake may decline for a variety of reasons including:
- Age
- Difficulty getting to the store
- Finances
- Preparing foods may become challenging
- Chronic medical conditions/disease/pain may interfere with proper nutrient
absorption - Medication interaction/side effects
- Dementia
- Isolation
- Depression
Poor nutrition, even in developed settings (long term care, hospitals), is common and often malnutrition is under-diagnosed. There is a need for a greater understanding of malnutrition risk among older adults, including implementation of routine screening of nutritional status and early diagnosis. Older malnourished adults are more likely to have poorer health outcomes, longer hospital stays and increased mortality.
Things to look out for in addition to weight loss include:
* Lack of appetite
* Tiredness and irritability
* Inability to focus
* Muscle loss, weight loss or body tissue loss
* Hollow cheeks and sunken eyes
* Dry hair and skin
* Delayed healing from injuries
* Reduced and/or darkly colored urination
It is important to talk to the doctor about symptoms and ask about malnutrition. Treatments may require certain foods, protein supplements, vitamins and minerals. It’s also important to find ways to engage in social activities that involve eating, work through financial barriers, and consider home service to help prepare or deliver healthy meals. If you have a loved one in the hospital or long-term facility, do not be afraid to advocate on their behalf.
Some things to consider:
- Ask questions about weight, supplements, menus
- Observe meals, snacks and fluids that are given to them throughout the day
- Request a meeting with the dietitian to review likes, favorite foods
- Bring them their favorite food
- Visit during mealtime and eat with them
Other things we can do to help the older adults in our lives and to improve our own nutritional intake:
* Select high-fiber foods like whole-grain breads and cereals, beans, unsalted nuts and seeds. Add fruits and vegetables to meals and snacks. Look for frozen, canned, or ready-to-eat varieties if slicing and chopping are a challenge.
* The ability to absorb vitamin B-12 can decrease with age and the use of certain medications can decrease absorption. Eating enough protein and fortified foods, such as fortified cereals, can help meet vitamin B-12 needs. Speak with your healthcare provider to determine what, if any, supplementation is right for you or your loved one.
* With age, we often lose some of our sense of thirst. Drink water often. Low- or fat-free fortified milk, including lactose-free or non-dairy, soy, almond, rice with added vitamin D and calcium all help keep your bones strong as you age. 100% juice can also help you stay hydrated. Limit beverages that have added sugar. If you have a bladder-control problem or take diuretics, check with your doctor about what, how much and when to drink liquids.
* Avoid fried foods. Choose broiled, grilled or boiled options instead.
The most effective, preventive efforts to promote good nutrition in older age may need to start ahead of age-related changes in physiology and function during younger adulthood and during the retirement transition.
Original Article: https://www.northeastohioboomer.com/blogs/is-your-elderly-loved-one-losing-weight/