Geriatrics is a process where trained health care professionals take charge of the affairs of the old people, for purposes of making life better for them. This paper focuses on the nutritional requirements of the aged, and weight gain is an essential element of measuring the nutritional status of the aged.
According to estimates, the older male population possesses higher energy expenditure than their female counterparts. However, the differences in this percentage are minimal. The exact level of energy requirement among the old people is unknown, and this is because of challenges arising in measuring the energy intake of this individuals.
Glucose is an example of an essential energy requirement among the elderly. To raise the level of blood glucose among the elderly, it is essential to give them foods rich in carbohydrates. Experts recommend an approximate value of 10 to 20gms per meal (Nixon and Yuan, 2011).
Food substances such as apples, and orange juice contain an approximate amount of 3 to 4 ounces of carbohydrates, and this is enough to get the 10-20gms of glucose. It is therefore recommended that the aged take lots and lots of fruits.
2. Measurement
Indirect calorimetric is the method that scientists use to measure the energy level of old people. An example of indirect calorimetric method is the use of Basal Metabolic Rate in measuring energy. It involves use of a ventilated hood, whose main purpose is to deliver a measured sample of the gas to the subject under investigation.
Scientists also measure the level of nutrient intake, by measuring the level of albumin concentration among the aged. Changes of albumin level are indicators of inflammation among the aged, and its concentration results to decreased or increased levels of acute phase proteins, Alpha 1 acids, C reactive proteins and glycoprotein (Nixon and Yuan, 2011).
B) Protein requirements:
The body composition of older people requires more protein levels, than that of the younger people; however this is not the case since they witness a decrease in their skeletal muscles, symbolizing a decrease in protein levels.
The aged face a decline of physiologic proteins, such as organ tissues, and blood components, and this has an effect in reducing the skin elasticity of the aged. Generally, the requirement of a protein nutrient in an individual's body is 0.8g/kg of the person's body weight. The percentage of this figure in relation to body tissues is 30%.
With time, this rate reduces to 20% of the body tissues, therefore at the age of 70 years and over, the aged require more proteins rate per kg level. Animal products is the primary source of protein, and in addition to proteins, they consist of iron, vitamin B12 and Folic acids.
C) Carbohydrate requirements:
Old people require less percentage of calories in the body mechanism, and this is because of high concentration of lean muscles and body fats. 60% of calories in a diet represents carbohydrates, and the aged required an approximate value of 6720 kilojoules of carbohydrates in their body mechanism..
Fat Requirements:
It is wise to reduce the percentage of fat intake in a body, because a high level of fat presence, leads to the rise of chronic diseases. For example, triglycerides are a fat component in the blood, in which a high concentration of it causes heart disease. Cholesterol is also a fat substance that can cause heart diseases if a large amount of it concentrates in an individual's body.
Water Requirements:
High presence of water in the body of the aged ensures that there is an effective channel of absorption and digestion of food substances. High presence of water in an individual's body reduces the complications that arise from the complications brought about by high blood urea nitrogen concentration (bun).
High BUN levels are a proof that the kidney of the aged has problems, and to rectify the situation, a person's body must be well hydrated. This emanates from taking lots of water, and the recommended number is 5 glasses per day. It ensures that an elderly is hydrated, and therefore it is recommended that the person ought to drink at least 5 glasses of water per day.
Vitamin and Mineral Requirements
Vitamins are an essential requirement for the aged, and various diseases such as Alzheimer's disease are associated by lack of it. Alzheimer emanates from lack of vitamin E, therefore foods rich in the nutrient are essential for the aged (Watson, 1994).
Zinc plays a role in initiating tasty acuity among the aged, and its required level is 15mg per day, of food substances rich in the nutrient (Williams, 2010). Vitamin K, helps in wound healing, while vitamin B12 plays a role in preventing memory loss among the aged.
New Trends in providing nutritional therapy:
The back to the basic nutritional approach is the latest trend in nutritional therapy. This approach advocates against processed foods, but advocates for whole food substances. It focuses on strengthening the individual's spirit, body and mind (Nixon and Yuan, 2011). The therapist view food as a healing substance, which has the capability of preventing diseases. This method enacts standards and special diets for the aged.
Consultation (how to implement nutritional intervention)
A)Initial
The initial step involves collecting information and synthesizing it in relation to the nutritional condition of the aged person. For example, how is the aged person nutritionally deficient, and how can he obtain such nutrients. This enables a nutritional therapist to develop a plan on how to prevent a further decline of the person's health, and his recuperation (Williams, 2010).
After collecting and analyzing information, the next procedure is to gather quantitative data, with the aim of developing sufficient nutritional interventions (Frias, 2008). For instance what is the level of a person's carbohydrates and fats in his body mechanism?
Taking qualitative data is important because it identifies the feeding characteristics of the patient, and beliefs, hence ensuring proper diagnosis. For instance, does the aged person eat meat? This is to analyze the cause of his protein deficiency.
B) Follow up
Institutions must enact proper channels of monitoring the progress of their patients in relation to nutritional intake (Williams, 2010). This is done by hiring nurses who prepare nutritious foods for the aged, and they monitor they intake. For example, an aged person who is protein deficient comes to a care home, the nurse; on recommendation of a therapist prepare food rich in protein for the individual.
Insurance coverage
A) Medicare
This is an insurance policy that targets the aged, and makes it possible for them to obtain medical treatment. The policy covers the patient's medical expenditure, and protects them from economic downfall, in case the treatment is expensive (Frias, 2008). The policy is inefficient because of the huge difference between the medical costs and insurance benefits.
B) Medicaid
This policy helps to advance the services offered by medicare. It pays premium to medicare policy holders, in relation to long term medication, and drugs.
C) Other insurance Policies
I. Life Insurance Cover
Life insurance cover is another policy the elderly can access, and they pay high premiums because of their vulnerability to death. Another form of life insurance cover is the guaranteed life cover, and it is a short term insurance policy that gives limited benefits in case of deaths.
Other Means of Nutritional Assessments:
Athropometric Assessment
These are scientific methods of measuring the nutrients composition of a person's body. Therapists use x-ray technologies, and bioelectric impedance in making this analysis (Mezey, 2001).
Functional Assessment
This method predicts the pattern and quality of an individual's life, and it only measures the quality of life of a person (Mezey, 2001).
