All about nutrition care plans
Following on from our March blog on nutrition screening, we can now look at Nutrition Care Plans (NCP) for people considered at risk of malnutrition or those who are already malnourished. Below is an overview of the different steps to take once nutrition screening is completed: NB Everyone with a pressure injury or at high […]
Q&A: “My dad lives alone, is quite frail and lost weight after being in hospital for a few weeks, how do I help him regain independence in his own home?”
For a number of reasons it’s normal for older people to lose weight when in hospital due to: However, once they leave hospital it does not have to stay that way. There are many simple things you can do to help older people regain independence, stay in their own home and continue to enjoy life. Nutrition, […]
The Skeleton in the community wardrobe
In the beginning In 1974 Charles Butterworth wrote “The Skeleton in the Hospital Closet”, an article referring to the lack of awareness amongst clinicians about the incidence of malnutrition in UK hospitals (1). It’s astounding to realise that over 40 years later there have been no sustainable solutions to recognising nutrition risk in older people […]
Q&A: “My grandma recently had a fall, what foods can she eat to make her stronger and help prevent future falls?”
There are a number of ways you could work with Grandma to retain her strength and reduce the likelihood of falls. 1. Encourage her to eat enough protein foods 2. Support her to eat sufficient amounts of calcium rich foods 3. Maintain good balance and muscle strength By Kaye Dennison (NZRD)
Dry mouth? You’re not alone
Xerostomia A dry mouth, or ‘Xerostomia’ is a problem suffered by many and can have an impact on our chewing and swallowing ability. It can be a debilitating condition and cause all sorts of secondary problems. A dry mouth can develop as a result of general ageing, some medications, post-radiation effects for head and neck […]
Not today cancer
Cancer can manifest in many different ways one of which is head and neck cancer (HNCA). HNCA and its treatment can result in significant swallowing difficulties in which speech-language therapists play a key role. Head and neck cancer can refer to cancers of: Stats and facts: Although the incidence of head and neck cancers represent […]
Delicious and nourishing food for people with multiple sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) can damage the nerve fibres in the brain that control swallowing, or damage the nerves in the muscles that execute this function. As a result, chewing and readying food for swallowing may become difficult. Modifications to the texture of the food can increase food intake and safety. A Speech and Language Therapist […]
Q&A: “I have noticed that I have lost a lot of weight over the last 6 months without even trying. My doctor has told me I need to put on some weight, what can I do about it?”
Maintaining a healthy weight is important for overall health and wellbeing. There are many reasons for weight loss and it is great to see that you have explored the potential causes for this with your doctor. The good news is that gaining weight is achievable and making simple changes to your daily meals and snacks […]
Nourishing people with dysphagia
I was reminded of the problems people can experience when they have swallowing difficulties when visiting a relative in hospital a few weeks ago. Another patient in the four bedded cubicle, Tom, reported to his nurse that he was unable to swallow pills unless they were crushed. An ensuing conversation went on for some time […]
Delicious fortified food for nourishing people with swallowing difficulties
It wasn’t too long ago that if you had a swallowing problem, your health outcomes and quality of life might not have been as positive as it can be these days. This would have been due to an inability to eat sufficient food to meet your nutritional requirements, or because of the risk of some […]