Nutrition

During our nutrition lecture, I learned a lot about how the aging process affects our health. One thing that really stood out to me was that the loss of lean body mass begins after age 25. This information was interesting to me as I come up on age 25, as it made me consider my own health practices as well as think about everyone I know over that age. This information affects us as practitioners as we think about all the functions that muscle has in our bodies: mobility, stabilizing body position, generation of heat, serves as pool for protein for the body. We discussed what this loss of lean body mass can lead to, including: inability to heal and recover from surgery, illness or disease, decreased strength and energy, loss of independence, increased fall risk, weakened immune system, impaired healing, weakness/ fatigue, increased susceptibility to illness, decreased QOL. 

Something else that we discussed that stood out to me was the qualifications for malnutrition. They are as follows: 

malnutrition= undernutrition or overnutrition often accompanied by 2 or more of the following

1.     Insufficient energy intake

2.     Weight loss

3.     Edema

4.     Decreased functional status/ diminished grip strength

5.     Loss of fat

6.     Loss of muscle mass

The last thing that we discussed that really stood out to me was what OTs can do to help. We talked about how important it is to get to know the dietitians in your facility and the education of all those involved in the care of the patient, including the patient themselves. We can use supplements in therapy as incentives, as well.

Individual Intervention: 

With any aging patient, they are likely to experience changes with their body which can be related to activity level. Something that we could do is sit out with a client and plan out leisure and recreational activities. Resources could be identified and we could make a plan of how to engage daily in some sort of leisure activity to keep them moving and help prevent loss of lean body mass. 

Group Intervention: 

At many nursing facilities, there are scheduled events throughout the day. An OT could hold a group fitness class 3 times a week to encourage the residents to get moving and increase socialization as well. A chair yoga class would be a good example of this.