Relationship Of Nutrition And Health
In recent years, there has been research involving the causes and consequences of poor nutrition among the elderly. Researchers continually work to distinguish risk factors of inadequate nutrition; the factors of most concern are “poor appetite, functional limitations, limited income, and social isolation” (Lirette, Podovennikoff, Wismer, Tondu, Klatt, 2007). Individuals at highest risk are those who live at home with a lack of family support (Krondl, Coleman, Lau, 2008). The diets of many elderly people are often low in calories and lacking important nutrients. All of these factors can affect the health and quality of life in the older adult. Nutrition plays a significant role in the health of the older adult. It is estimated that 85% of elderly persons living outside of a care center have a chronic condition that could improve with proper nutrition (Posner, Jette, Smith, Miller, 1993). Research has also noted that up to half of these individuals have diagnoses that necessitate nutritional intervention. Preventing poor nutrition in older adults makes a considerable impact on their overall health. Keys to prevention include utilizing nutritional risk screenings of the older adult population, education, and making sure elderly people have access to nutritious food. One area of focus that has been beneficial in preventing and improving poor nutrition in the elderly is food assistance programs.
Weighing The Options
There are a variety of nutrition programs available to the elderly people of the United States. It is imperative that people are made aware of the programs that are offered in their area. In Sheboygan County, there are few meal delivery options. Meals on Wheels delivers...
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...from http://www.aurorahealthcare.org/services/vna/mobile.asp
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Long-term care facilities that have implemented a high degree of culture change (as scored from a survey derived from a 2009/10 national nursing home survey) have had a significant decrease in the use of restraints, tube feeding, and pressure sores. Culture change is also associated with an increased number of residents on bladder training programs and a small reduction in the number of hospitalizations/resident/year (Miller, Lepore, Lima, Shield, & Tyler, 2014).
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The federal Food Stamp Program is an assisted nutrition program that helps millions of eligible, low-income individuals and families (United States Department of Agriculture). This program gives its recipients extra money each month to try to help them have better food security. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is also the largest program in the federal safety net (United States Department of Agriculture). In Ohio’s Appalachian counties, there are 515,300 recipients which is 25.4% of the population (Job and Family Services). The Supplemental Nutrition Program is a good program except for one problem that can be fixed relatively fast and one problem that it will take a little time to solve. The problem that can be fixed right away is that the Supplemental Nutrition Program can be abused by the recipients buying junk food instead of healthy food. The problem that will take some time to fix is that some recipients make unhealthy food choices because they do not have access to a local supermarket. In order to fix these two problems the Food Stamp Program needs to better regulate what can be bought with the Food Stamp card and items in convenient stores need to be better stocked in order to keep accepting Food Stamp cards.
In conclusion, It is therefore important that all healthcare workers involved in direct patient care should appreciate the value of providing their patients with adequate nutritional education and be familiar with the possibilities for providing nutrition support if needed for example Meals on Wheels that provides nutritious meals to home bound older adults who are unable to prepare meals for themselves and have no one able and/or willing to provide meals for them as this organization does uses a balanced nutritious meal that meets USDA recommended daily dietary
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