The intensity of care for the elderly varies across different countries. Some countries have the elderly as the majority of their population, whereas in others, the younger population prevails. In the US, the elderly comprise sixteen percent of the total population and this number is expected to rise to twenty-five percent by 2040 (Harcombe, 2019). Factors contributing to this difference are the care in terms of nutrition, healthcare, diet, and oral health of the elderly people. It is crucial to take care of the elderly since they are faced with the problem of stigmatization. Thus, they need to feel loved and have a sense of belonging.
The aging population is prone to chronic diseases such as dementia, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, arthritis, and cancer. The diseases mentioned above are the most common among elderly people aged 65 years and above (Jeruszka-Bielak et al., 2018). Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias were among the most expensive medical disorders to treat and provide long-term care for in 2021, costing $355 per person, according to the CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (as cited in Jeruszka-Bielak et al., 2018). It is recommended that the elderly should remain active and independent to avoid dementia (Jeruszka-Bielak et al., 2018). To keep the elderly safe from chronic diseases, ensuring their early assessment and diagnosis, risk reduction and prevention, and the management of chronic diseases are some of the preferred prevention methods.
Further recommendations include clinical preventative services, such as blood pressure checks, cancer screenings, blood sugar tests, hiring caregivers, and ensuring their health to provide the elderly with appropriate care. (Jeruszka-Bielak et al., 2018). Some families prefer measures that increase interactivity and physical activity programs, thus keeping them safe from dementia and arthritis pain. Similarly, it is possible to resort to a lifestyle change program, National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP) and Medicare beneficiaries through CDC-recognized organizations to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. Increasing the number of people who speak to the health care provider about their worsening memory is another way to ensure the wellness of aging people.
Diet of the elderly plays a significant role in ensuring their general health is good, mainly physical. Proper nutrition means having a healthy and balanced diet so that their bodies receive the necessary nutrients. As people grow older, their bones and bodies become weaker; thus, the meal they take determines how strong they will be. Good nutrition is crucial since it controls weight and prevents diseases such as osteoporosis, high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. As a person ages, their body and life change, and this poses the need for the elderly to remain healthy. For instance, a person may require a few calories but still need to get sufficient nutrients. Some older people need more proteins as opposed to carbohydrates or vitamins.
Oral health and nutrition are closely intertwined in the wellness of the elderly. General health and diet quality depend on social support, socioeconomic status, culture, and oral health. Manchery et al.’s (2020) research shows that the reduced intake of vitamins, calcium, dietary fiber, and protein cause dental impairment. For optimal masticatory function and swallowing, enough saliva must be present. It appears that restricted dietary intakes are more closely related to food preferences than the direct mechanical effects of poor chewing in people with impaired oral function. Saliva plays an important role in chewing by binding the food fragments together so that they can be swallowed without running the risk of respiratory aspiration (Manchery et al., 2020).
Due to difficulty chewing, poor dental health can lead to food restrictions and deficient nutritional status. The availability of teeth, the number of functional teeth, and the use of prosthetics all impact how effectively food is masticated. Elderly tooth loss has been linked to dietary changes and nutritional deficiencies (Manchery et al., 2020). Due to the important contribution of nutrition to the etiology of major systemic diseases, including bowel cancer and coronary heart disease, particularly in the elderly, diet and dentition are of utmost importance. Since one of the primary roles of dentition is to prepare food for digestion, a fundamental study is necessary to fully understand the relationship between dental health and food consumption, nutrition, and mastication, particularly in older people. This systematic review summarizes past studies on the relationship between seniors’ oral-dental health and food intake.
In conclusion, the health and wellness of elderly people always lengthen their life. Good care starting from proper diet to good oral health, ensures that the elderly feel healthy and cared for, thus eliminating loneliness and improving wellbeing. Good nutrition keeps the elderly safe from numerous illnesses and impacts oral health. The elderly are a significant population that should be well taken care of in all dimensions.
References
Harcombe, Z. (2019). US dietary guidelines: is saturated fat a nutrient of concern? British Journal of Sports Medicine, 53(22), 1393–1396. Web.
Jeruszka-Bielak, M., Kollajtis-Dolowy, A., Santoro, A., Ostan, R., Berendsen, A. A., Jennings, A., Berendsen A., Nathalie M., Marceglia A.,Caumon E., Gillings R., De Groot L., Franceschi C., Hieke S. & Pietruszka, B. (2018). Are nutrition-related knowledge and attitudes reflected in lifestyle and health among elderly people? A study across five European countries. Frontiers in physiology, 9, 994. Web.
Manchery, N., Subbiah, G. K., Nagappan, N., & Premnath, P. (2020). Is oral health education for carers effective in the oral hygiene management of the elderly with dementia? A systematic review. Dental research journal, 17(1), 1.