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221 West 1st Street Duluth, MN 55802 218.722.5545 or: 800.232.0707 |
| Nutritional Risk Assesment
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How at risk nutritionally is your parent or older community member you care for? Not sure? Use DETERMINE to figure out their nutritional health. Poor nutritional health is so often overlooked. But good nutrition is the corner stone of good, stable health. This tool can give you great insight into the situation your loved one is in. If the score is higher, please seek help to insure proper nutritional improvements are being made. |
| Causes of Nurtritional Risk
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| Some elderly persons are at nutritional risk because of various dietary problems. They may have problems selecting, purchasing, preparing, eating, digesting, absorbing and using food. It is important to intervene. In Eating Well as We Age the various problems are described along with possible solutions. (Can’t chew, upset stomach, can’t shop, can’t cook, no appetite, and short on money) |
| Loneliness
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Loneliness is another major risk factor. A great number of older people have lost a partner and/or are alone. Research shows there is a correlation between living alone and having lower quality diets. Men maybe at greater risk because they are often less experienced at cooking, meal planning and shopping. Women are often not motivated to prepare meals because there is no one to enjoy them. Help your loved one take Steps to Reduce Loneliness and Increase Appetite.
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| Barriers to good nutrition
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| Single—Social isolation. 85 percent of widowed persons report a weight change during the two years following the death of a spouse. Women report cooking is chore now that there is no one to enjoy their cooking. Many men don’t know how to cook or prepare meals. Special Diet—Because of chronic medical problems, many require special diets. Special diets require extra effort and special knowledge. Physical Problems—Chewing difficulties and gastrointestinal disturbances cause older people to restrict foods important to their health. Adverse reactions to medications can cause problems with certain foods. Other problems such as arthritis, stroke or Alzheimer’s disease can interfere with good nutrition. Money—Lack of money causes people to scrimp on important foods. Financial issues may cause delays in getting medical or dental attention. For more detailed information go to Growing Older, Eating Better |
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| Why Be Concerned About Nutrition?
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| Nutrition remains important throughout life. Good nutrition in the later years still can help lessen the effects of diseases prevalent among older Americans or improve the quality of life in people who have such diseases: osteoporosis, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers, gastrointestinal problems, and chronic under nutrition. Good nutrition in later years helps both in reducing the risk of these diseases and in managing the diseases signs and symptoms. It contributes to a higher quality of life. For more detailed information go to Growing Older, Eating Better |