Malnutrition is a very threatening condition in the old, because it seriously reduces life expectancy. Similarly, once an older person loses weight due to malnutrition, that weight is typically not put back on ever again.
Since old folks have a tendency to become ill more easily and are absorbing their nutrient elements rather poorly, they're at high risk of malnutrition.
Common signs of malnutrition are:
- Weight loss
- Muscle wasting
- Skin bruising
- Dry skin
- Oedema
- Poor blood nutrient profile like iron deficiency, etc
In order to protect against malnutrition in the aged, there are five main causes to watch out for:
1. Health problems - Most older individuals have some diseases or their immune system is compromised. Their diseases may lead to reduced appetite or no desire to eat at all. Reduced intakes naturally cause further decay of the immune system making them far more susceptible to developing illnesses. This is likely to present a dangerous cycle causing malnutrition.
2. Depression - Dementia and Parkinson's Disease are commonly associated with mood swings and personality changes. On top of that, older individuals are commonly isolated, alone, hurting, anxious and sick making their depression worse. Depression is associated with thoughts of death or no wish to live. Typically depressed individuals also stop eating or have no desire for food, making them highly susceptible to malnutrition.
3. Dysphagia - Trouble in swallowing is rather common among elderly people. This condition is linked with neurological disorders like stroke, Parkinson's disease and dementia. Swallowing issues can cause aspiration or the misdirection of food, drinks, saliva and gastric content into the wind pipe leading to pneumonia (lung infection), dehydration and malnutrition.
4. Dry Mouth (Xerostomia)/taste disturbance - Reduced spit production is a typical result of the aging process. This condition is aggravated by prescription medications commonly given to the old. Taste disturbances regularly accompany dry mouth and that leads to reduced wish to eat as "food simply does not taste nice".
5. Cognitive issues - Poor food recognition, not remembering to eat, food refusal or just inability to open food packaging can be great barriers to adequate nutrition.
To conclude, while there are many different reasons for malnutrition in the elderly, these five are the key ones to keep an eye out for. If you know a senior who seems to have any of these conditions, please seek medical advice.
Since old folks have a tendency to become ill more easily and are absorbing their nutrient elements rather poorly, they're at high risk of malnutrition.
Common signs of malnutrition are:
- Weight loss
- Muscle wasting
- Skin bruising
- Dry skin
- Oedema
- Poor blood nutrient profile like iron deficiency, etc
In order to protect against malnutrition in the aged, there are five main causes to watch out for:
1. Health problems - Most older individuals have some diseases or their immune system is compromised. Their diseases may lead to reduced appetite or no desire to eat at all. Reduced intakes naturally cause further decay of the immune system making them far more susceptible to developing illnesses. This is likely to present a dangerous cycle causing malnutrition.
2. Depression - Dementia and Parkinson's Disease are commonly associated with mood swings and personality changes. On top of that, older individuals are commonly isolated, alone, hurting, anxious and sick making their depression worse. Depression is associated with thoughts of death or no wish to live. Typically depressed individuals also stop eating or have no desire for food, making them highly susceptible to malnutrition.
3. Dysphagia - Trouble in swallowing is rather common among elderly people. This condition is linked with neurological disorders like stroke, Parkinson's disease and dementia. Swallowing issues can cause aspiration or the misdirection of food, drinks, saliva and gastric content into the wind pipe leading to pneumonia (lung infection), dehydration and malnutrition.
4. Dry Mouth (Xerostomia)/taste disturbance - Reduced spit production is a typical result of the aging process. This condition is aggravated by prescription medications commonly given to the old. Taste disturbances regularly accompany dry mouth and that leads to reduced wish to eat as "food simply does not taste nice".
5. Cognitive issues - Poor food recognition, not remembering to eat, food refusal or just inability to open food packaging can be great barriers to adequate nutrition.
To conclude, while there are many different reasons for malnutrition in the elderly, these five are the key ones to keep an eye out for. If you know a senior who seems to have any of these conditions, please seek medical advice.
About the Author:
Giselle Brand is an accredited practising dietician and director of Aged Care Nutrition Services. She provides expert services including aged care menu review and nutrition and hydration accreditation for aged care facilities in Australia.
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