The risks of aging are not only heart disease, diabetes and stroke. Risk also comes in the form of the highly unlikely and preventable condition of malnutrition. This is such a severe problem for elders that there are multiple studies on how to detect and reverse its consequences. Elderly people suffer malnutrition for various reasons, and there are many ways to help a loved one suffering through it.
Reasons for Malnutrition
The reasons for elder malnutrition are many. According to the University of Kansas, poverty is a main reason for the elderly to go without food. It may be that he cannot afford food or cannot apply for the aid to get it. An elder may have functional deficits that keep him from preparing food, such as an inability to use the stove or kitchen. There may be a cognitive or psychological reason that keeps him from eating, such as depression or dementia. An elderly person may be on a restricted diet, such as a diabetic or kidney diet, and may not understand it. There may be problems with an elder's mouth or teeth that prevent eating. Many medical conditions and medications can interfere with the desire to eat and the absorption of nutrients.
Dangers
There are dangers to the elderly that stem directly from malnutrition. If an elderly person were to get sick, malnutrition would make recovery more difficult. According to the University of Florida, malnutrition leaves an elder open to infection, pneumonia, falls, fractures and skin sores. By increasing nutritional levels, an elderly patient can improve her health status and live more independently. This will improve her quality of life.
Warning Signs
The warning signs of malnutrition can be subtle. Often, an elder may hide these signs or not mention them, so direct questioning may be necessary. One sign is disease because chronic illness often makes elders not want to eat. You have to ask directly if she is eating poorly or watch her during a meal. Ask about her teeth or if her mouth hurts. Examine her money and finances. Check her refrigerator and determine what she is eating. She may not be getting to the grocery store at all. If she's not getting out much, she may be at risk. If she takes multiple medications, she runs a risk, too. Check to see if she is losing weight without trying, as that can be another warning sign of malnutrition.
Take Action
You can take several actions if you suspect that someone suffers from the effects of elderly malnutrition. Getting him to a doctor for a thorough physical exam would be a good first step. According to the University of Florida, energy and protein are in meats and dairy products, so encourage him to eat these foods. A good multivitamin and supplemental vitamin D and B-12 are other recommendations. Supplemental shakes are another way to get extra calories and protein into reluctant elders and help reverse malnutrition.
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