Nutrition and Aging

The main takeaway I got from this lecture is the importance of prevention. I am learning this a lot the more I am exposed to different healthcare settings and especially the elderly population. It is so interesting that we expect to become frail as we age as if this is a normal progression of life when it doesn't have to be! We need more education at a younger age and THROUGHOUT our school and college years about the importance of a healthy diet and exercise. Good nutrition and exercise should be taught to us like brushing and flossing our teeth. You have to eat well and exercise or you increase your risk of getting chronic and/or preventable diseases and increase your risk of mortality at an earlier age. You have to brush and floss your teeth or you will lose them. It should be that simple and it should be taught to everyone in all societies. In regard to the elderly population specifically, I learned that the elderly have much higher nutrition needs due to the physiological processes associated with aging: bone loss, lean body mass loss, and an increase in all sorts of other problems and risk factors. I also learned that a healthy young person can be bedridden for 28 days and lose 2% lean body mass total, while an elderly person can be bedridden for only 10 days and lose 10% lean body mass, which is astonishing! We learned the importance of nutrition during an injury, sickness, and especially while aging. I cannot say that I 100% support the use of oral nutrition supplements like Ensure, but I can see where they are needed, too. It would be hard for me as a person who loves eating whole, nutritious foods to persuade a client to drink their sugary protein drink. I do understand the concept of bad food is better than no food and I have personal experiences with this. I know that someone who is rapidly losing weight and lean body mass that has no appetite or desire to cook isn't going to get their nutritional needs met, much less exceeded like is recommended, but I wish there were a better option for a supplement, one with wholesome, healing foods. 

One intervention that occupational therapy could do on a one-on-one basis is address some of the psychological needs of the patient that may be the underlying cause of their being malnourished. An example would be a widow or widower that is lonely and depressed that has no motivation to do the things they once did. It is our job as OTs to help the client explore potential new leisure opportunities and especially explore options for social participation. We could set the client up with a widow/widowers support group, or give them resources/help get them involved in a weekly cooking class with other seniors. It would be in our scope of practice to address the psychosocial factors and needs affecting their lack of motivation to participate in mealtime. 

Another intervention that could be done in a group setting would be a healthy cooking class. I don't think it would be in an OT's scope of practice to lead this class alone, but in conjunction with an RD. Having a group cooking class or education session on the importance of healthful eating and explaining in layman's terms the nutritional needs of a person their age. We could also educate on the importance of maintaining or developing an exercise regimen. Having this type of group intervention would address other occupations and domains as well. 

The above-mentioned intervention could also be tailored for a specific population. It could be tailored to clients with certain chronic diseases like DM, CHF, renal disease, etc. In conjunction with an RD, we could educate the clients on their particular nutritional needs and how to prevent or limit further complications using diet and exercise.