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In-Service Training on Nutrition and Hydration in Older Adult
Kafayat Fadeyi
Rasmussen University
Nur2214 (Nursing Care of The Older)
August 23rd, 2024
1
Introduction
The topic of the in-service training session is the basic issue of nutrition and hydration of elderly patients and its impact to the health of the patients. Malnutrition and dehydration are common among senior citizens since the elderly face various challenges that are associated with age (Masterson, 2023). It is important to solve this problem to be able to treat various diseases that appear with age, and to motivate clients, who are elderly, to live a healthy life (Volkert et al., 2022). This training is aimed at enhancing the knowledge of the healthcare providers on how best to meet the nutritional and hydration requirements of the older adults in order to enhance their quality of life.
Outline:
Importance of Nutrition and Hydration
· Overview of the physiological changes in aging that affect nutrition and hydration.
· The role of proper nutrition and hydration in maintaining health and preventing disease in older adults.
Consequences of Inadequate Nutrition and Hydration
· Increased susceptibility to infections: How malnutrition affects the immune system to render seniors more vulnerable to infections and slow their healing process.
· Worsening of chronic conditions: Discussions on how diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and coronary artery diseases are affected negatively by poor nutrition.
· Decline in cognitive function: Exploration of how dementia is worsened by dehydration and nutrient deficiencies.
· Physical frailty and falls: Analysis of the relationship between malnutrition, reduced muscle strength, and the risk of falling and getting severe injuries.
· Emotional and psychological issues: Overview of how nutrient deficits cause or contribute to depression and anxiety and how diet can help alleviate these conditions.
Strategies for Improving Nutrition and Hydration
· Assessment techniques: Approaches to assessing nutritional status and degree of dehydration in elderly patients.
· Dietary planning: Designing of menus that provide adequate nutrients for the elderly with regard to their cultural tastes and health status.
· Hydration management: Strategies for increasing fluid consumption, identifying dehydration symptoms, and managing potential challenges to water consumption.
Practical Interventions
· Nutritional supplements: Guidance on the use of supplements to address specific nutrient deficiencies.
· Community resources: Information on local resources and programs that support the nutritional and hydration needs of older adults.
· Education and support: Strategies for educating older adults and their caregivers about the importance of nutrition and hydration, and how to implement healthy practices.
Implementation and Monitoring
· Developing care plans: Integrating nutritional and hydration goals into individual care plans.
· Monitoring progress: Techniques for tracking improvements in nutritional and hydration status, and adjusting interventions as needed.
· Collaborative approach: The importance of a multidisciplinary team in managing the nutritional and hydration needs of older adults.
Conclusion
The in-service training on nutrition and hydration for the elderly seeks to answer a component of elder care that has implications on several aspects of health. In this way, the healthcare practitioners are able to improve the quality of life of the elderly patients since they understand the type of care that they require. Proper nutrition and appropriate intake of water are necessary for prevention and management of many diseases, for protection from illnesses, for maintaining brain function, and for mood enhancement. The implementation of research-oriented methodologies and functional strategies will help healthcare workers become instrumental in the enhancement of the lives of their elderly patients. It is essential to understand that the main purpose of this training session is to enrich the knowledge and perspectives on nutrition and hydration in the elderly population to make their lives happier and healthier.
References
Masterson, R. (2023). Nutrition and hydration.
Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing: An Evidence‐ based Approach to Musculoskeletal Care, 117-128.
Volkert, D., Beck, A. M., Cederholm, T., Cruz-Jentoft, A., Hooper, L., Kiesswetter, E., … & Bischoff, S. C. (2022). ESPEN practical guideline: Clinical nutrition and hydration in geriatrics.
Clinical Nutrition,
41(4), 958-989.
