Malnutrition is a prevalent condition among older adults associated with a deficiency of healthy food intake. The condition is usually presented in unintended weight loss (between 5% and 10%), lack of appetite or interest to food, tiredness, irritability, inability to concentrate, the longer healing time of wounds (Wilson, 2020). Lab tests may demonstrated the insufficiency of various vitamins and nutrients in blood as well as low prealbumin levels (Wilson, 2020).
Malnutrition is common among older adults due to several factors. According to a systematic review conducted by Fávaro-Moreira et al. (2016), common risk factors of malnutrition among older adults are general health decline and physical function, excessive polypharmacy, Parkinson disease, constipation, cognitive decline, dementia, loss of interest in life, oral dysphagia, impaired efficacy of swallowing, and institutionalization. Mangels (2018) also mentions economic and social problems causing malnutrition, including social isolation, limited transpiration options, and low income. Older adults may also be affected by depression, absorption deficiencies, and dental problems that may lead to insufficient food intake. Thus, care providers need to consider all the factors to determine the reason for malnutrition and address it.
When developing a plan, I would consider assessing all the possible causes of malnutrition and address the central problem. In general, I will provide patient education about malnutrition its possible causes and consequences. After that, I will educate the patient about healthy nutrition habits, including preferred time and dishes for all the meals. I will also recommend the patient to increase social activity by visiting various meetings, friends, and family. I would also refer the patient to a dietician to work on the dietary habits and a psychologist to screen for possible disorders.
References
Fávaro-Moreira, N. C., Krausch-Hofmann, S., Matthys, C., Vereecken, C., Vanhauwaert, E., Declercq, A.,… & Duyck, J. (2016). Risk factors for malnutrition in older adults: a systematic review of the literature based on longitudinal data. Advances in nutrition, 7(3), 507-522.
Mangels, A. R. (2018). CE: Malnutrition in older adults. The American Journal of Nursing, 118(3), 34-41.
Wilson, D.R. (2020). Malnutrition: What you need to know. Medical News Today. Web.