{"id":2312,"date":"2020-05-19T20:05:40","date_gmt":"2020-05-20T02:05:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/eatrightutah.org\/blog\/?p=2312"},"modified":"2020-05-19T20:05:40","modified_gmt":"2020-05-20T02:05:40","slug":"make-your-mark-in-caring-for-older-adults","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.eatrightutah.org\/blog\/make-your-mark-in-caring-for-older-adults\/","title":{"rendered":"Make Your Mark in Caring for Older Adults!"},"content":{"rendered":"

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May is Older Americans Month and this week, we’re excited to have a guest post by Wendy Phillips that is meant to be shared with your clients and patients!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Spring is a beautiful time in Utah, and the month of May has brought us bright blue skies and a return to outdoor activities. Despite the challenges of COVID-19, Utahns have shown strength in community. This is something we cherish, and it is so important as we work together to care for some of the most vulnerable people in our community, older adults. May is also Older Americans Month, and the theme for\u00a02020\u00a0is “Make Your Mark.” This theme was selected to encourage and celebrate countless contributions that\u00a0older\u00a0adults make to our communities.<\/span><\/p>\n

While celebrating the many contributions that older Utahns make, we also need to remember a significant risk they face every day that is amplified in the current realities of COVID-19.\u00a0 The pandemic is hitting older adults particularly hard, as the mortality rate from COVID-19 is higher for this age group. Immune systems in general weaken as we age, and older adults are more likely to have preexisting and chronic conditions that increase risk of infection and death. One of these significant chronic conditions may be malnutrition, which compounds health issues, decreases immunity and makes older adults even more vulnerable to COVID-19.<\/span><\/p>\n

Malnutrition is diagnosed by a physician or a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) through a medical and diet history and a nutrition focused physical exam. RDNs evaluate weight changes, nutritional intake compared to estimated needs, fat and muscle stores, and signs or symptoms of vitamin or mineral deficiencies. The results of this nutrition assessment are compared to standardized criteria used in the United States to determine if the patient is mild, moderately, or severely malnourished, and then a medical diagnosis is made by the physician. RDNs partner with the patient, family, and healthcare team to develop a treatment plan. This plan complements the medical plan that is in place to treat other medical conditions, including #COVID19.<\/span><\/p>\n

How can you help?\u00a0 The good news is there are lots of ways you can make a difference!\u00a0 Here are some:<\/span><\/p>\n