Page 67 - Petelin, Ana, Nejc Šarabon, eds. 2018. Zdravje starostnikov ▪︎ Health of the Elderly. Zbornik povzetkov z recenzijo ▪︎ Book of Abstracts. Koper: Založba Univerze na Primorskem/University of Primorska Press
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llenges for dietitians in nutritional support of elderly problemi in izzivi v prehrani starostnikov | nutrition problems and challenges in the elderly
Mila Terčelj1, Denis Mlakar Mastnak2
1 Zdravstveni dom Kamnik, Novi trg 26, 1241 Kamnik, Slovenia
2 Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloška cesta 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
A dietitian as a member of multidisciplinary team plays a key role in the preven-
tion of malnutrition and nutritional support in the elderly. Challenges for clin-
ical dietitian include five areas. Factors bound to the patient: early identifica-
tion of those factors which significantly affect the increased risk of malnutrition
and the progression of sarcopenia. These factors are as follows: modified ener-
gy-savings needs, chronic diseases, consumption of medicinal products, nutri-
tional problems, the ability for self-feeding, physical capacity and physical activ-
ity, cognitive skills, economic and social circumstances, etc. Institutional factors
are: Access to individual nutritional treatment and counseling, a diet that is high
quality and varied, adapted to elderly taste and abilities for independent eating,
etc. Identifying malnutrition: Although Mini Nutrition Assessment is a tool for
nutritional screening, specifically prepared for use in elderly over 65 years, the
tool with which we can accurately evaluate the nutritional status in the elderly
still doesn’t exists. Thus, in identifying malnutrition a dietitian cannot simply re-
ly on a screening tool, he/she always must carry out clinical judgment for which
he/she requires skills. Nutritional assessment is a diagnostic process used to
assess the nutritional status of the elderly. Nutritional therapy and counseling
is a central part of the nutritional support in elderly, is the use of effective nu-
trition and other strategies.
Keywords: clinical dietitian, nutrition of the elderly, nutritional treatment
65
Mila Terčelj1, Denis Mlakar Mastnak2
1 Zdravstveni dom Kamnik, Novi trg 26, 1241 Kamnik, Slovenia
2 Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloška cesta 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
A dietitian as a member of multidisciplinary team plays a key role in the preven-
tion of malnutrition and nutritional support in the elderly. Challenges for clin-
ical dietitian include five areas. Factors bound to the patient: early identifica-
tion of those factors which significantly affect the increased risk of malnutrition
and the progression of sarcopenia. These factors are as follows: modified ener-
gy-savings needs, chronic diseases, consumption of medicinal products, nutri-
tional problems, the ability for self-feeding, physical capacity and physical activ-
ity, cognitive skills, economic and social circumstances, etc. Institutional factors
are: Access to individual nutritional treatment and counseling, a diet that is high
quality and varied, adapted to elderly taste and abilities for independent eating,
etc. Identifying malnutrition: Although Mini Nutrition Assessment is a tool for
nutritional screening, specifically prepared for use in elderly over 65 years, the
tool with which we can accurately evaluate the nutritional status in the elderly
still doesn’t exists. Thus, in identifying malnutrition a dietitian cannot simply re-
ly on a screening tool, he/she always must carry out clinical judgment for which
he/she requires skills. Nutritional assessment is a diagnostic process used to
assess the nutritional status of the elderly. Nutritional therapy and counseling
is a central part of the nutritional support in elderly, is the use of effective nu-
trition and other strategies.
Keywords: clinical dietitian, nutrition of the elderly, nutritional treatment
65
