According
to Baker, (2009), malnutrition is rarely the only problem of an elderly person.
Malnutrition does not usually occur in isolation but a precipitated by other
social, physical or mechanical problems. Some of these factors that cause
malnutrition in elderly people can equally have influence on their feeding
patterns.
to Baker, (2009), malnutrition is rarely the only problem of an elderly person.
Malnutrition does not usually occur in isolation but a precipitated by other
social, physical or mechanical problems. Some of these factors that cause
malnutrition in elderly people can equally have influence on their feeding
patterns.
Extreme Age: The increasing frailty of extreme old age
increases the risk of malnutrition.
increases the risk of malnutrition.
Ignorance: Ignorance of the basic facts of nutrition is
prevalent in elderly women, their views had often been formulated many years
ago and even in childhood, when dietary habit had been dictated by financial
stringency. It is likely that in men ignorance is even more important, especially
in certain sectors of elderly population. Thus a man who is recently widowed
may have to fend for himself for the first time and he may have little idea of
what constitutes as balance diet. Widower’s scurvy is seen most often in men
living alone (Smith, 2008).
prevalent in elderly women, their views had often been formulated many years
ago and even in childhood, when dietary habit had been dictated by financial
stringency. It is likely that in men ignorance is even more important, especially
in certain sectors of elderly population. Thus a man who is recently widowed
may have to fend for himself for the first time and he may have little idea of
what constitutes as balance diet. Widower’s scurvy is seen most often in men
living alone (Smith, 2008).
Social isolation and loneliness: Through the surveys of social needs of the over
eighties. It was established that dietary intake was related to the numbers of
outsider interests of the old people. Dietary intake was found to be better in
those old people who eat at clubs in the company of other. By contrast, for
many old people living alone in social isolation there is loss of interest amounting
to apathy and consequent neglect in the preparation of food. What food is eaten
in the form of snacks (Smith, 2008). A man aged 75 and living alone is four
times more likely to have a low dietary intake of vitamin C than a man of the
same age who lives with his wife or family (Baker, 2009).
eighties. It was established that dietary intake was related to the numbers of
outsider interests of the old people. Dietary intake was found to be better in
those old people who eat at clubs in the company of other. By contrast, for
many old people living alone in social isolation there is loss of interest amounting
to apathy and consequent neglect in the preparation of food. What food is eaten
in the form of snacks (Smith, 2008). A man aged 75 and living alone is four
times more likely to have a low dietary intake of vitamin C than a man of the
same age who lives with his wife or family (Baker, 2009).
Loss of appetite: Enjoyment of and appetite for food are dependent
on the visual appearance, taste and smell of a food. It is easy to appreciate
how a decrease in appetite and loss of interest in the preparation of meals
accompanied by a physical disability which makes the actual preparation of food difficult. During 10 year period
between the ages of 74 and 85 there is 65% reduction in the sense of taste. It
is the perception of salt and sweetness that decreases the most, perception of
bitterness remain relatively unchanged, salivary secretion also decrease in
elderly people. This contributes to the loss of taste and makes chewing and
swallowing more difficult as saliva acts as a lubricant.
on the visual appearance, taste and smell of a food. It is easy to appreciate
how a decrease in appetite and loss of interest in the preparation of meals
accompanied by a physical disability which makes the actual preparation of food difficult. During 10 year period
between the ages of 74 and 85 there is 65% reduction in the sense of taste. It
is the perception of salt and sweetness that decreases the most, perception of
bitterness remain relatively unchanged, salivary secretion also decrease in
elderly people. This contributes to the loss of taste and makes chewing and
swallowing more difficult as saliva acts as a lubricant.
Physical disability: Elderly people with physical disorders such as
hemiplegia, arthritis and impairment of vision may have difficulty in getting
and preparing food. This applies particularly to the housebound living alone
without adequate support from others (Smith, 2008).
hemiplegia, arthritis and impairment of vision may have difficulty in getting
and preparing food. This applies particularly to the housebound living alone
without adequate support from others (Smith, 2008).
Therapeutic Diet: A badly planned dietary regiment may lead to
malnutrition, especially when it is continued longer than necessary. For
instance, keeping to a strict weight reduction diet long after the idea
(target) weight has been reached, self-imposed exclusionof carbohydrate is
well-intentioned attempt to control diabetes.
malnutrition, especially when it is continued longer than necessary. For
instance, keeping to a strict weight reduction diet long after the idea
(target) weight has been reached, self-imposed exclusionof carbohydrate is
well-intentioned attempt to control diabetes.
Masticatory inefficiency: A poor state of dentition and especially
ill-fitting dentures, often leads an elderly individual to select soft foods
consisting mainly of carbohydrate and blend diets and the more nutritious foods
requiring mastication are avoided. Poor chewing of food is sometimes the causes
of indigestions (Smith, 2008).
ill-fitting dentures, often leads an elderly individual to select soft foods
consisting mainly of carbohydrate and blend diets and the more nutritious foods
requiring mastication are avoided. Poor chewing of food is sometimes the causes
of indigestions (Smith, 2008).
Dysphagia: This is a condition in which the action of
swallowing is either difficult or painful. It has a variety of causes, whatever
that may because, it results in a reduction in dietary intake which can lead to
dehydration and malnutrition.
swallowing is either difficult or painful. It has a variety of causes, whatever
that may because, it results in a reduction in dietary intake which can lead to
dehydration and malnutrition.
Poverty: The food eaten by pensioners is often dull
monotonous and tasteless. Old people who are able to supplement their income
from savings or form part time earnings have better diet than those whose sole
financial means is the old age pension.
monotonous and tasteless. Old people who are able to supplement their income
from savings or form part time earnings have better diet than those whose sole
financial means is the old age pension.
