Volkert, D., Beck, A. M., Cederholm, T., Cruz-Jentoft, A., Goisser, S., Hooper, L., Kiesswetter, E., Maggio, M., Raynaud-Simon, A., Sieber, C., Sobotka, L., van Asselt, D., Wirth, R. & Bischoff, S. C. (2019). ESPEN guideline on clinical nutrition and hydration in geriatrics. Clinical nutrition, 38(1), 10-47.
The primary objective of this article is to highlight key recommendations that can help healthcare providers deliver better nutrition and hydration to older adults. A secondary important goal of the research is to find ways to reduce excess weight in older people. Since it can accumulate due to improper diet and lifestyle, it is essential to balance the amount of fluids and food. The authors provide a comprehensive list of recommendations that can be categorized into basic questions, general principles, recommendations for older individuals with malnutrition, and recommendations for older individuals with chronic diseases. The division into such categories ensures that people are thoroughly cared for in all cases where they may require special nutrition or supervision.
The article used a systematic literature search methodology. Thus, scientists selected the best options for scientific material that examined sweating and hydration. Additionally, the work was developed in accordance with the standard operating procedure for ESPEN guidelines and consensus papers.
The literature search for the review by the authors was based on 33 questions in the PICO format. The SIGN grading system compiles critical parameters for assessing information, providing a comprehensive picture of how different scientists perceive the nutrition of older people. The study’s results comprised eighty-two recommendations supported by evidence, which can ensure adequate nutrition and hydration in older people. In conclusion, it must be noted that this article has a significant flaw in that the researchers are overly focused on reducing patient weight rather than providing a balanced diet.
Barbagallo, M., Veronese, N., & Dominguez, L. J. (2021). Magnesium in aging, health, and diseases. Nutrients, 13(2), 463.
This article aims to investigate the alterations in magnesium (Mg) metabolism that occur with aging. The loss of this critical element by many organs causes specific difficulties that can arise in the body during the aging process. Thus, researchers have established a relationship between magnesium deficiency and certain severe diseases that can impact the body’s productivity and overall well-being. Depending on this, the authors discovered the need to prescribe a special diet to normalize the condition. The study of the role of this element in maintaining the body’s vital activity in old age forms the basis of this article. At the same time, scientists do not use specific methods, referring to the work of other researchers and presenting their own findings.
It is essential to note that the work pays excellent attention to aspects such as considering magnesium deficiency in the context of the development of disorders like Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other dementia syndromes, as well as muscle diseases. The data discovered by the researchers is imperative so that, in the future, it can be determined how the diet of older people affects their well-being and mental health. Brain function can be improved by controlling magnesium intake in the diet. The study’s weak point is that the scientists did not establish a connection between magnesium intake and other substances that could have yielded more significant results in the context of dieting. Additionally, this could help understand the full impact of a magnesium diet.
Tamura, Y., Omura, T., Toyoshima, K., & Araki, A. (2020). Nutrition management in older adults with diabetes: a review on the importance of shifting prevention strategies from metabolic syndrome to frailty. Nutrients, 12(11), 3367.
This article focuses on nutrition and hydration in older adults with diabetes. The authors note that such a population requires special care, as the diet needs to be tailored to the unique characteristics of each person’s body. The purpose of the article was to explore the role of insulin resistance, atherosclerosis, chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial stress in the aging process. Determining how nutrition affects a person’s cognitive abilities is crucial for understanding the capabilities that persist into old age. Nutrients can influence the body in such a way as to prevent weakness.
This paper did not describe methods or use specific research tools. In their conclusions, the authors found that to prevent weakness in old age, people need to accurately calculate the amount of specific nutrients, which depend directly on certain diseases. The weakness of this paper is that the authors did not provide more detail about the relationship that may exist between certain diseases and the body’s metabolism that they affect. In advanced nursing practice, the use of these sources is relevant and essential, enabling nursing staff to manage clients’ nutritional needs better and provide a more effective approach to addressing the presenting diseases.
Finlay, J. M., Kler, J. S., O’Shea, B. Q., Eastman, M. R., Vinson, Y. R., & Kobayashi, L. C. (2021). Coping during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study of older adults across the United States. Frontiers in Public Health, 9, 643807.
This paper examines eating disorders in older people and their consequences due to stress. Obtaining healthy elements from food can be one of the most crucial factors in maintaining satiety in old age. However, when overeating occurs, it leads to negative consequences that further impact a person’s ability to function and preserve their cognitive functions.
The authors employed online multi-frame sampling methods, which included 6,938 older adults, to study their eating patterns. This allowed us to obtain data on how COVID-19 affected everyday life through stress. Using the method of qualitative content analysis, information was processed, which made it possible to identify eating disorders as one of the ways to cope with difficulties. The researchers also used an inductive approach to draw certain conclusions based on the most frequent and high-quality results.
In the results of the study, the authors concluded that many older people used overeating as a strategy for coping with complex, stressful situations. Thus, we can say that stress generated by external factors can exacerbate and become an even bigger problem in conjunction with overeating, which can lead to secondary diseases. Therefore, monitoring the correct caloric content and its relationship with physical activity is essential for providing comprehensive care for the body. The study’s downside is that scientists do not provide nutritional strategies for older people that could be used to reduce stress. This could complement the information presented in the paper. In the field of nursing practice, this work may be beneficial by providing an understanding of the importance of maintaining a balanced diet.
Kaur, D., Rasane, P., Singh, J., Kaur, S., Kumar, V., Mahato, D.K., Dey, A., Dhawan, K., & Kumar, S. (2019). Nutritional Interventions for Older Adults and Considerations for the Development of Geriatric Foods. Current aging science, 12(1), 15-27.
This research work examines the aging process as a complex change in all primary bodily functions. In connection with this, a crucial aspect is the selection of proper nutrition, which can serve as the foundation for adequately caring for the body. The researchers aim to address the issue of decreased food consumption among the older generation, which is linked to the development of several health problems that can lead to chronic diseases.
A physiological decrease in nutrient consumption results in people not receiving a significant portion of the vitamins and other micronutrients they need to maintain a normal bodily state. Scientists have concluded that a more pronounced deficiency is evident in essential elements such as zinc, iron, calcium, and vitamin B. In this regard, the development of special diets for older people is a way to help them regulate their body’s activity.
The authors do not disclose the methodological justification for the work done. A weakness of the study is that it does not provide explicit recommendations on ways to help older people increase their nutritional intake. Instead, the authors focused on breaking down each element and studying their effects on the body, which is useless without applying the knowledge to actual dietary suggestions. However, the valuable information contained in the study can be applied in nursing practice to enhance the current nutrition of the elderly population, which is expected to continue increasing.
Corcoran, C., Murphy, C., Culligan, E. P., Walton, J., & Sleator, R. D. (2019). Malnutrition in older people. Science progress, 102(2), 171-180.
This article aims to examine the potential consequences of malnutrition among the elderly population and its potential outcomes. Additionally, it is crucial to determine which diet may be most effective in this regard. Scientists have focused considerable attention on identifying the primary reasons behind this process.
Thus, the authors of the article turn to a step-by-step examination of all the key nutritional elements involved in maintaining the body’s vital functions. This is necessary to determine whether it is possible to create a nutritious diet that can prevent older people from declining in cognitive skills over time. The crucial conclusions of scientists in this regard were that timely intervention in dietary patterns could correct the current situation of malnutrition, which is detrimental to older people and can lead to a significant decline in their health indicators.
One of the study’s shortcomings is that the authors did not address the problem of malnutrition in a more specific manner. The article concludes that this can play a decisive role in establishing a person’s negative state. Thus, it would be helpful to clarify further the factors that are of primary importance for the nutritional enrichment of older people’s bodies. One of the possible solutions was dietary supplements, which can have an unpredictable effect depending on how well or not a person accepts synthetic drugs. For practical nursing, this work may be necessary because it reveals the causes of malnutrition in older people.
Gao, S. S., Chu, C. H., & Young, F. Y. F. (2020). Oral health and care for older adults with Alzheimer’s disease. International journal of environmental research and public health, 17(16), 5713.
The work in question focuses on investigating the impact of proper nutrition on older individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. This disease is the primary type of dementia and, therefore, poses a severe danger to a person’s cognitive functions. During the aging process, this can worsen further, ultimately leading to older people not being fully aware of their food intake. Limited functions lead to poor oral health, which can make eating painful. In this regard, an important aspect is to find alternative ways to maintain the ability to eat.
The goal of this work is to identify opportunities and explore new methods for providing people with Alzheimer’s disease with adequate nutrition. One significant finding is that older adults may begin to lose interest in maintaining oral hygiene activities. Thus, a necessary way is to provide a person who will look after and provide constant care.
The article does not present specific methods-focused activities. Instead, the authors use a narrative style to inform the readers. The conclusions of the article include the fact that older people with Alzheimer’s disease need specialists who can constantly care for them and the oral cavity so that they can continue to eat normally. Thus, for practical purposes, this article can be helpful as it enables us to fully consider how we can assist in cases of oral diseases. They can have a tremendous negative impact on the body as a whole and prevent a person from fully engaging in their everyday activities. Thus, the establishment of special personnel who can observe such events and administer the necessary treatment promptly is essential, as it can affect health and the ability to eat.
Kim, H. J., Lee, J. Y., Lee, E. S., Jung, H. J., Ahn, H. J., & Kim, B. I. (2019). Improvements in the oral function of older people after simple oral exercises. Clinical Interventions in Aging, 915-924.
This paper aims to explore the oral exercises people can do to improve their jaw health and enhance their eating experience. Performing a particular exercise is designed to help older people regain certain chewing functions that were previously difficult or impossible due to the natural aging of their joints. In the study, the authors employed methods such as a one-week study of a control sample of 84 patients. Throughout this time, the chewing ability of the patients was measured to determine the effectiveness of the exercise results.
At the same time, the mixing ability index (MAI) became a crucial parameter in this regard, making it possible to create comprehensive measurements. Initial tests allowed the subjects to be divided into several groups depending on their chewing abilities. Changes before and after the implementation of chewing exercises were analyzed using ANOVA and Cochran’s Q test.
The set of methods employed allowed the researchers to fully address the changes necessary for older people to chew food more effectively. The final results of the paper demonstrated the greater effectiveness of the implemented chewing exercise, as scientists achieved a six percent overall improvement in performance and a sixteen percent improvement in the group that had difficulty chewing food. The negative aspect of this paper is that the scientists did not consider all alternative exercises and did not show comparisons in effectiveness with them. This could indicate the effectiveness of the developed intervention. However, the effectiveness indicators themselves are high enough for the exercise to be used to help older people.
Nilsson, M. I., Mikhail, A., Lan, L., Di Carlo, A., Hamilton, B., Barnard, K., Hettinga, B., Hatcher, E., Tarnopolsky, M., Nederveen, J., Bujak, A., May, L., & Tarnopolsky, M. A. (2020). A five-ingredient nutritional supplement and home-based resistance exercise improve lean mass and strength in free-living elderly. Nutrients, 12(8), 2391.
This paper focuses on exploring the relationship between physical activity in older adults, their diet, and how this affects the overall digestibility of proteins and other beneficial materials. The research methodology consisted of conducting a study of a sample of older men who were diagnosed with sarcopenia in accordance with the EWGSOP criteria. A total of 176 participants who completed the initial screening questionnaire were recruited for the study. Later, the volume was reduced to 45 due to the elimination of inappropriate parameters. The authors have put a lot of effort into researching how older people lose muscle mass and how their daily diet affects this process. Measuring physical indicators played an imperative role in understanding how active or sedentary the sample participants were.
At the same time, scientists drew some important conclusions, which were noted by the fact that long-term interventions can have a positive effect on how people begin to pay more attention to nutrition. The article is of great importance for considering the function of protein in the process of calorie absorption. This process takes a lot of time, as it helps equalize micronutrient levels. In this way, the body establishes harmonious balances of nutrients that are consumed along with food.
There is a weakness in the study in that the authors do not clearly identify how an increase in lean body weight can be achieved. This aspect is vital, given the paper, and therefore should be highlighted more prominently. However, this study has important implications for nursing practice, namely that older people need to constantly monitor their weight to prevent it from falling critically low.
de Faria Coelho-Ravagnani, C., Corgosinho, F. C., Sanches, F. L. F. Z., Prado, C. M. M., Laviano, A., & Mota, J. F. (2021). Dietary recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nutrition Reviews, 79(4), 382-393.
This study aims to determine how optimal nutrition can impact the body’s state when experiencing overload due to the coronavirus. For the elderly population, this is particularly important, as they are at risk and exposed to unique dangers. To support dietary counseling, specific dietary guidelines must be followed. The authors reveal that the resources they researched suggest that older people can achieve tremendous benefits by taking fruit. This result was obtained through an examination of official records, which also confirmed evidence of a deterioration in the overall nutritional quality among older people during the pandemic.
In this regard, the purpose of this study was to investigate and determine the optimal diet for maintaining a normal physical condition during a pandemic. The study’s results included an examination of a significant number of dietary recommendations, which enabled the determination of which ones could provide the most benefit, considering all critical variables. Thus, dietary supplements and food hygiene were highlighted as key topics in nutrition recommendations.
The results of the article can be considered a designation of several sources that were identified as dietary components for people of all ages. It is noteworthy that for the elderly population, it was emphasized that the diet should include as many nutrients of plant origin as possible. These findings suggest that increasing the amount of fruit can benefit metabolism and improve overall well-being. However, a weak point of this study is that it pays little attention to the specific dietary patterns’ schedules. Nursing practice will benefit from reviewing this paper, as it provides information on the essential elements to include in nutritional regimens for early generations.
Cohen, R., Fernie, G., & Roshan Fekr, A. (2021). Fluid intake monitoring systems for older people: A review of the literature. Nutrients, 13(6), 2092.
This article reveals significant data regarding how fluids affect the body and how important it is to monitor conditions when a person may be underhydrated. The purpose of this work is to determine the effectiveness and necessity of using Fluid intake monitoring for older people. In their work, the authors use literature review methods as the primary source of knowledge.
The researchers utilized the Google Scholar database to search for relevant literature that could provide essential insights into the topic being investigated. The authors performed search queries aimed at finding peer-reviewed journals and book chapters. Monitoring fluid intake is an essential consideration for older adults. The methodological search for articles for review allowed us to include 115 sources in the study.
The study’s results showed that many devices designed to track the fluid consumption of the elderly generation are primarily intended to facilitate this action. At the same time, they can completely ignore the amount of liquid they drink, which makes the use of such systems pointless. The authors discovered this severe flaw and outlined the importance of correcting it to normalize the monitoring system. Keeping track of how much fluid people drink based on volume rather than just quantity can lead to more accurate readings.
The critical point of the article was that the authors did not identify and label all types of containers that are available for fluid control. This creates a gap that may prevent the use of the monitoring system. However, this study is helpful for nursing practice because it provides essential information regarding the weaknesses of fluid control systems. This can be useful in providing more comprehensive and high-quality care for elderly patients.
Hoen, L., Pfeffer, D., Zapf, R., Raabe, A., Hildebrand, J., Kraft, J., & Kalkhof, S. (2021). Association of drug application and hydration status in elderly patients. Nutrients, 13(6), 1929.
This study reveals the relationship and impact of dehydration status in elderly patients. Its purpose is to determine how different dehydration statuses may affect the general condition of a patient, considering various variables, including severe illness. During the scientific research, various methods were employed, including vector analysis, which helped assess the body composition of geriatric patients. This information later became the basis for researchers to calculate the correct amount of water needed by each older adult to normalize their condition. Additionally, this calculation method improved accuracy by reducing the potential error level, which in turn affected the calculation of specific interactions.
The results of the study showed that some medications could interact with a person’s fluid balance, thereby creating either a decrease or normalization. Drugs such as Resveratrol, olmesartan, and mirtazapine were most often prescribed to older people with dehydration. This may help regulate poor hydration in older people, allowing them to restore their fluid balance, and thus enabling treatment to be fully implemented.
It is worth saying that a significant drawback of this study is the incomplete clarification of the relationship between diseases and water balance. This could complement the paper by making the results more meaningful in the context of understanding. The relevance of this work to advanced nursing practice is high, as it enables us to understand which drugs can be used most effectively in conjunction with different levels of hydration.
Białecka-Dębek, A., & Pietruszka, B. (2019). The association between hydration status and cognitive function among free-living elderly volunteers. Aging Clinical and Experimental Research, 31, 695-703.
Cognitive function can be influenced by various factors within the body. The purpose of this article is to investigate how maintaining normal hydration levels, or the lack thereof, affects the cognitive abilities of older adults. This study investigates the potential impact of hydration levels on premature aging and their effects on human well-being.
For this purpose, methods were employed, including the collection of data from 60 free-living volunteers. The information collected during the study spanned a period of three days. Assessing urine-specific gravity each morning provided a comprehensive picture of the body’s hydration status. At the same time, the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was used to test cognitive functions.
The results of the study showed that the average daily water consumption of the people surveyed was 2441 ± 622 ml. However, most study participants achieved their daily water intake to restore their hydration levels. The average value of the MMSE was 27.8, which shows mild impairments characteristic of old age.
Thus, the study concluded that there was no connection between the degree of hydration and the cognitive abilities of the elderly population. The weak point of this work is the incomplete study of hydration, which could deviate from the norm, as the calculated value exhibits wide deviations. However, this paper can be applied in advanced nursing practice because it highlights the importance of adequate hydration to the well-being of older patients.
Shaban, M., Mohammed, H. H., & Hassan, S. (2022). Role of community health nurse in the prevention of elderly dehydration: A mini-review. Journal of Integrative Nursing, 4(3), 166-171.
Dehydration can have serious negative consequences for older adults, so establishing and maintaining public health initiatives to promote hydration is an important aspect. In this regard, the purpose of this work is to determine how community health nurses can effectively promote regular hydration among older adults. The methodological rationale for the article was to utilize the SpringerLink, PubMed, Embase, and Wanfang databases to search for articles that had been reviewed, to further compare this information with current efforts aimed at ensuring adequate hydration. In addition, a review of data from scientific publications enabled the determination of how community health nurses provided better accommodation and care to older adults in the context of fluid intake.
The study results suggest that preventing dehydration in older people can help avoid this condition and provide individuals with opportunities to replenish their fluid supply. To do this, nurse practitioners must use screening methods that detect any behavioral disturbances regarding water or food intake. With the help of constant monitoring, the identification of older people who cannot independently manage their fluid balance is greatly facilitated, which can ultimately impact the health status of patients at risk. However, a negative aspect of this article is the omission of more detailed methods for monitoring hydration status and alternative monitoring approaches. For advanced nursing practice, information on ways to improve public knowledge about hydration is essential to enhance competence in the area of public wellness and health.
Calligaris, S., Moretton, M., Melchior, S., Mosca, A. C., Pellegrini, N., & Anese, M. (2022). Designing Food for Older People: The Critical Impact of Food Structure Food & Function, 13(12), 6467-6483.
Aging leads to the fact that people have specific food needs that must be met for them to feel well. Thus, the article under consideration aims to develop a harmonious composition of food products that would allow the aging body to function for as long as possible. This should be ensured by beneficial elements that enter the body in the correct quantities. When this happens, the older population can spend more quality time due to increased opportunities for engagement and interaction. This study does not employ any specialized methods to gather information. However, the authors were able to come to a significant result, which states that physiological changes in people can be slowed down by selecting the optimal nutritional supplements.
A criticism of this article may be that the authors do not support their research with practical testing. Thus, it is impossible to be entirely sure that the information provided is proven. However, this does not prevent this article from becoming useful in advanced nursing practice. This is possible because the researchers have provided and described detailed dietary compounds that may have beneficial effects on the human body. Thus, when guided by these data, nurses can provide adequate care to older patients in a professional manner. Ensuring that older adults are adequately provided with food and water can protect them from premature declines in brain activity and cognitive abilities.