Possible
ways to optimise or reduce health problem associated with feeding habits of the
elderly according to National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
(NICE, 2006) are as follows:
ways to optimise or reduce health problem associated with feeding habits of the
elderly according to National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
(NICE, 2006) are as follows:
·
Check medications where possible to minimise adverse effect.
Check medications where possible to minimise adverse effect.
·
Encourage little and often: three small meals with regular in between
snacks of energy rich, high protein food.
Encourage little and often: three small meals with regular in between
snacks of energy rich, high protein food.
·
Maximise times of better appetite e.g if hungry in the morning suggest a
cooked breakfast.
Maximise times of better appetite e.g if hungry in the morning suggest a
cooked breakfast.
·
Serve meals and snacks that are appealing in size and appearance. So
food served should appetizing.
Serve meals and snacks that are appealing in size and appearance. So
food served should appetizing.
·
Food has to be eaten to be of benefit: Encourage the patient to select
favourite foods that can be eaten at any time.
Food has to be eaten to be of benefit: Encourage the patient to select
favourite foods that can be eaten at any time.
·
Drinks can lessen appetite: suggest that drinks are taken after meals
rather than before and during a meal.
Drinks can lessen appetite: suggest that drinks are taken after meals
rather than before and during a meal.
·
Find a way to stimulate appetite: a short walk before meal can be
helpful.
Find a way to stimulate appetite: a short walk before meal can be
helpful.
·
Consider meal settings: make meal times enjoyable and avoid interruption
or rushing during meals. These can be applied when there is a loss appetite. If
the patient has difficulty in chewing, encourage adequate dental and mouth
care. Try soft foods that require little or no chewing. Cut food into small
pieces and chew food at a comfortable, unhurried pace. Cook some vegetables and
fruits to soften.
Consider meal settings: make meal times enjoyable and avoid interruption
or rushing during meals. These can be applied when there is a loss appetite. If
the patient has difficulty in chewing, encourage adequate dental and mouth
care. Try soft foods that require little or no chewing. Cut food into small
pieces and chew food at a comfortable, unhurried pace. Cook some vegetables and
fruits to soften.
·
Difficulty in swallowing: Ask the physician to check medications. Drink
plenty of water. Use lozenges or hard candies to keep throat moist.
Difficulty in swallowing: Ask the physician to check medications. Drink
plenty of water. Use lozenges or hard candies to keep throat moist.
·
Constipation: Eat liberal amount of whole grain as well as vegetables
and fruits. Drink 6 to 8 glasses of fluid especially water per day. Limit greasy
or fatty foods such as oils and margarine, fried food, high fat sweets and
meats. Limit use of antacids. Get into regular exercise such as walking.
Constipation: Eat liberal amount of whole grain as well as vegetables
and fruits. Drink 6 to 8 glasses of fluid especially water per day. Limit greasy
or fatty foods such as oils and margarine, fried food, high fat sweets and
meats. Limit use of antacids. Get into regular exercise such as walking.
·
High blood sugar: limit sweets and alcohol. See a registered dietician
for help with planning a high fibre diet, low sugar diet.
High blood sugar: limit sweets and alcohol. See a registered dietician
for help with planning a high fibre diet, low sugar diet.
·
High blood pressure: Limit salty foods and see a registered dietician
for help in planning a heart-healthy diet.
High blood pressure: Limit salty foods and see a registered dietician
for help in planning a heart-healthy diet.
·
Heart disease: See a registered dietician for help in planning a diet
low in saturated fat.
Heart disease: See a registered dietician for help in planning a diet
low in saturated fat.
These
are some of the possible ways in which the health problem associated with
feeding habits of the elderly can be reduced.
are some of the possible ways in which the health problem associated with
feeding habits of the elderly can be reduced.