Living together means eating better, especially in old age
Care in an intensive care unit is not a trivial experience, neither for the patient nor for his family. And, beyond the technicality or even the urgency of the care, the well-being of the patient and his relatives is a decisive factor in the quality of care. This study from the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (Harvard, Boston), which looked at the attitudes of patients and their families faced with such an experience in an intensive care unit (ICU), shows the importance of the latitude left by the care team to speak freely about their care concerns. This aspect of the caregiver-patient relationship appears to be just as essential as coordination within the team for health outcomes.
Previous studies have shown that when all members of the clinical care team communicate and “feel comfortable,” team performance improves. However, in-depth knowledge of patients' wishes, their medical history and the reactions of their families contributes to a more efficient care offer because it is centered on the patient. Patients and families must therefore also “feel comfortable” sharing their concerns about care with the medical team. This study took a closer look at this opportunity for patients and their loved ones to express themselves in real time in the context of the ICU.
Clinician researchers from the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) asked patients and relatives who had recently experienced an ICU hospitalization about their ability to express their wishes and wishes to caregivers. Specifically the team interviewed 105 families of patients admitted to ICUs from a university hospital from July 2014 to February 2015 as well as via the Internet, a panel of 1,050 participants who had recently experienced ICUs. The analysis shows that:
- 50 to 70% of the family members of a patient in the ICU hesitated to express their concerns about the situations or decisions of care in particular on the safety aspect;
- The fear of being called a “troublemaker”, of not knowing whom to turn to, and relentless treatment are the reasons most frequently given to explain this hesitation;
- On the other hand, on other less “compromising” subjects, including drug prescriptions, nearly two-thirds of patients and their families say they feel very comfortable expressing themselves;
- but only a third of respondents dare to express a concern about hand hygiene or a disagreement, with the healthcare team, about an attitude of their hospitalized loved one (aggressiveness of the patient, for example).
Oral expression is a key element of the culture of safety : yet the study reveals a difficulty for the majority of patients and their families to speak during an ICU stay. Yet, in such a critical care setting, families may hold valuable information for clinicians. They are also often the first to detect a change in the patient's clinical condition. Families should therefore be encouraged to voice their concerns.
These results underline the need to explicitly help patients and families to express themselves in real time, including on "perceived errors", which could improve the safety of care, note the authors. Giving patients and their families a voice is a relatively inexpensive intervention that could significantly improve patient and family outcomes.
"Ensuring that clinicians listen to patients and families when they speak can also help" the researchers suggest.
What nutrients does a 70 year old need?
A 70-year-old with a diet that contains plenty of fiber, potassium, calcium, vitamin C and vitamin A will be less likely to develop high blood pressure, osteoporosis, heart disease, diabetes and certain types of cancer, says the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
What is the best food for old age?
What to eat
fruit and vegetables.
potatoes, bread, rice, pasta and other starchy foods.
dairy and alternatives.
beans, pulses, fish, eggs and other proteins.
oils and spreads.
What are the five key nutrients needed by an older person?
Nutrients that become especially important as you age include protein, vitamin D, calcium and vitamin B12. SUMMARY: Older adults generally need fewer calories. However, their nutrient needs are just as high or higher than when they were younger.
What are 6 factors affecting nutrition in the elderly?
- Factors Which Affect Food Intake. Good nutrition can help keep the body healthy. ...
- Physical Factors. Muscle mass tends to decrease with age. ...
- Social Factors. Loss of social contact is a problem for many older adults. ...
- Emotional Factors. ...
- Medication Factors. ...
- Money Factors.
What causes poor nutrition in elderly?
Older adults are more likely to have chronic conditions that put them at risk for malnutrition. Cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, and other conditions can impact appetite, make eating difficult, change metabolism, and require dietary restrictions.
What are three common nutrition related problems in the elderly?
Specific problems which may occur in the elderly population include:
excess weight.
underweight.
constipation.
diabetes mellitus.
How do you maintain good health in old age?
Stay Connected
- Get moving: Exercise and physical activity.
- Healthy eating: Make smart food choices.
- Getting a good night's sleep.
- Quit smoking.
- Alcohol and other substances.
- Go to the doctor regularly.
- Social isolation and loneliness.
- Stress.
What is the most common nutritional problem among the older persons?
Aging adults tend to eat fewer calories, due to decreased appetite and activity levels. This decrease in caloric intake can also lead to deficient levels of vitamins and minerals. These dietary deficiencies have been linked to chronic diseases such as: heart disease, cancer, and osteoporosis.
What is the best nutrition for old people?
Calcium-rich foods such as milk are essential for old age persons to maintain strong bones and teeth. Further, it helps blood clot, and nerves, muscles, heart work. Calcium-rich foods such as milk are essential for old age persons to maintain strong bones and teeth.
Which of the food groups is most important in the nutrition of elderly?
You should eat various foods, with poultry and lean meat providing most of your protein, while low-fat dairy products should provide the remainder. You should also limit the consumption of overly processed foods or contain a lot of salt as part of a well-balanced diet.
How does age affect food and nutrition?
Older adults generally have lower calorie needs, but similar or even increased nutrient needs compared to younger adults. This is often due to less physical activity, changes in metabolism, or age-related loss of bone and muscle mass.
What is the relationship of nutrition and aging?
Image result for ILL or NUTRITION: Living together means eating better, especially in old age
Nutrition influences overall well-being, especially in the elderly. Based on research, malnutrition is associated with accelerated aging. In fact, maintaining a healthy diet is known to be one of the main influences for healthy aging.
What is the importance of nutrition in old age?
Adequate nutrition, especially in older age, aids in the maintenance of health and in decreasing the onset of chronic diseases, contributes to vitality in everyday activity, to energy and mood and helps in maintaining functional independence.
