Chapter 18- Digestion and Nutrition Flashcards
1
Q
Age-related
changes that
affect digestion
and eating
patterns: Smell
and Taste
A
- The senses of taste and smell affect food enjoyment.
- These senses decline in older adults.
2
Q
Age-related changes that affect digestion and eating patterns: Oral Cavity
A
- Tooth enamel
becomes harder and more brittle. - Teeth are less sensitive to stimuli and more susceptible to fractures.
- Gradual flattening of the chewing cusps.
- The bones supporting the teeth of older adults diminish in height and density, and teeth may loosen or fall out.
- xerostomia (dry mouth)
- Age-related changes of the oral mucosa include loss of elasticity.
- Slower emptying of the stomach
3
Q
Age- related changes
that affect digestion and eating patterns
A
Esophagus and Stomach:
Presbyphagia—slowed swallowing
Large intestine: reduced secretion of mucus, decreased elasticity of the rectal wall and diminished perception of rectal wall distention.
* Gallbladder and biliary tract: diminished bile acid synthesis
4
Q
Why is hydration important for aging adults?
A
HYDRATION ESSENTIAL
FOR ALL PHYSIOLOGIC
FUNCTIONS; DECREASED
THIRST PERCEPTION
5
Q
Prevalence of constipation
A
6
Q
Risk Factors
A
- Ability to Procure, Prepare and Enjoy Food
- Diminished sensory function can affect food
enjoyment in all the following ways: Inaccurate perception of colour, taste or smell can
interfere with appetite and food appeal, Diminished gustatory and olfactory sensitivity (may lead to excessive use of condiments and seasonings, such as salt and sugar), Visual, olfactory and gustatory impairments may make it difficult to detect spoiled food. - Poor nutritional status and weight changes
- Quality of life
7
Q
Constipation
A
- Decrease in normal
frequency of defecation
accompanied by difficult
or incomplete passage of
stool and/or passage of
excessively hard, dry stool - 15% to 30% who live in the community
- 75% to 80% who live in
institutional communities
