What
occurs with normal aging? |
What
are the results of normal aging? |
What
can I do to help? |
When
do I call? |
| Receding gums with a decreased amount of saliva and
enzymes used for digestion and absorption of food. |
Dry mouth, bad breath and dental problems.
Problems with dentition and chewing.
Reduced rate of digestion and absorption of nutrients.
|
Use mouth sprays to maintain mouth moisture.
Adequate water intake during the day to keep the mouth
moist.
Regular dental appointments.
Modify the diet if needed.
Encourage fluid intake between meals rather than at
meals. |
Seek assistance if
the mouth and tongue are dry and eyes are sunken, or
if dentition and chewing is preventing adequate dietary
intake. |
| Decreased muscle strength and tone |
Difficulty swallowing, heartburn
and slower stomach emptying may occur with an increasing
tendency to constipation.
|
Slower pace with meals. Fluids
taken between meals rather than with meals. Sit up rather
than lie down after meals. Elevate the head of the bed
4-6 inches.
Avoid caffeine, spicy foods, alcohol and smoking.
Increase dietary fibre and fluids in the diet as tolerated.
Increase activity as tolerated.
Encourage routine bowel habits following each meal.
|
Difficulty swallowing, repeated swallowing with each
bite or sip, coughing with meals or shortness of breath
with meals.
Frequent or severe heartburn.
Inadequate dietary intake.
Hard, dry and infrequent bowel movements that may
be difficult to pass. Bloating, change in appetite,
fluid retention. |
| Decreased rate of metabolism |
Decreased heat production.
Decreased energy production.
Slower tissue growth and slower healing |
Increasing activity will increase metabolic rate.
Gauge activity according to energy level.
May need more clothing than others to maintain temperature.
Schedule regular activity within the level of toleration. |
A sudden and unexpected loss of energy, and increase
or decrease in body temperature.
Open areas that do not heal.
Unreasonable drowsiness.
Any evidence of an infection
|
| Decreased need for calories with increased need for
nutrition. |
Potential for weight gain and nutrient deficiencies.
|
Maintain nutritional value of dietary intake while decreasing
unnecessary calories. |
Report an increase or decrease in weight.
Investigate supplements. |
