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We Have Unveiled Orchard’s 4 Tier Nutrition Therapy Program

Press Release~There is Such a Thing as Being Too Thin…

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                  Contact: Irina Strembitsky & Orchard Senior Living

                                                                                    Phone: (404) 775-0488

                                                                                    Email: marketing@orchardseniorliving.com

 

Press Release

        There is Such a Thing as Being Too Thin…

 

Improved nutrition outcomes are within reach for those living with dementia and other chronic illnesses.

 

Tucker, Georgia, April 2nd, 2018- After a year of research, testing and development, Orchard Senior Living is prepared to unveil our custom created Nutrition Therapy Program specifically designed for those with dementia, as well as other chronic illnesses that often lead to malnutrition or undernutrition. We developed this program because the current nutrition therapy options available have failed our residents as well as many others in the community.

A popular saying says, “We are what we eat.” A good diet is vital to everyone’s health, well-being, and quality of life.  A person needs carbohydrates, protein, fat, fiber, minerals, vitamins, electrolytes, and water to survive. Obtaining the correct balance and quantities of these nutrients is essential.  Insufficient nutrition and hydration can lead to deterioration of overall health, including mental health, as well as weight loss, dehydration, dizziness, increased risk of falls, prolonged recovery after surgery, change of mood, frequent colds, reduced strength, reduced mobility, reduced communication abilities, difficulty keeping warm, infections, as well as prolonged healing.  Cognitive deficits such as Dementia, have a direct effect on a person’s nutrition. Malnutrition or undernutrition may occur at any stage of dementia. It is important to detect it and try to remedy this as early as possible.

Did you know? Up to 45 per cent of people living with dementia experience clinically significant weight loss over one year, and up to half of people with moderate or severe dementia have an inadequate food and nutritional intake. Some experience very quick weight loss, dropping to a withering 70-90 lbs. in a span of several months.  As dementia advances, it’s difficult to ensure that those living with dementia are eating and drinking enough. These challenges increase the risk for malnutrition and can worsen other health conditions a person may already have. There are numerous reasons for poor appetite to develop, including depression, communication problems, sensory impairments, change in taste and smell, pain, tiredness, medication side effects, physical inactivity, and constipation.  Some people with dementia may lose their ability to concentrate, so they become distracted while eating and stop eating as a result. Other people may have trouble using utensils or raising a glass. It may also be challenging to bring the food from the plate to their mouth. Some people may need to be reminded to open their mouth to put food in it or even to chew. Another common problem in more severe dementia cases is dysphagia, which is difficulty swallowing. Dysphagia can lead to weight loss, malnutrition, or dehydration. Over time you may find that your loved one’s appetite declines or the taste of food doesn’t appeal to them. Sensory changes in sight and smell can impact their ability to enjoy food and mealtimes. Their likes and dislikes for food and drink may be quite dramatic and different from the ones they held for many years. They may also find it difficult to tell you what they want to eat.

Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease are not the only chronic conditions that can cause malnutrition or undernutrition. Other chronic conditions can often impact a person’s nutrition. Many illnesses cause what is called disease-related malnutrition. Many people living with Parkinson’s disease, suffer from muscle weakness or tremors, which can make eating very challenging. Other diseases that often cause nutrition deficiencies are cancer, liver disease, COPD, and CHF to name a few.

In many of these cases, the malnutrition and undernutrition are severe and all conventional methods have failed. Orchard’s state of the art Nutrition Therapy Program offers hope for this group, a group that has not responded to traditional nutrition methods. Orchard has partnered with Gordon Foods and their team of experts and dieticians, as well as with dementia specialists to bring this revolutionary nutrition therapy to the community.

Join us on April 12th from 4 pm-6 pm as we unveil our Nutrition Therapy Program to area professionals who are interested in helping our community battle this difficult problem. Event attendees will be able to taste a variety of nutrition therapy options such as Cake a Boo, Sherberita, and Strawberry Smash. This event will be held at Orchard at Tucker, 2060 Idlewood Rd, Tucker GA 30084. For questions or to RSVP for the event please email marketing@orchardseniorliving.com.

 

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There is Such a Thing as Being Too Thin…

Improved Nutrition outcomes are within reach for those living with Dementia and other chronic illnesses.

A popular saying says, “We are what we eat.” A good diet is vital to everyone’s health, well-being, and quality of life.  A person needs carbohydrates, protein, fat, fiber, minerals, vitamins, electrolytes, and water to survive. Obtaining the correct balance and quantities of these nutrients is essential.  Insufficient nutrition and hydration can lead to deterioration of overall health, including mental health, as well as weight loss, dehydration, dizziness, increased risk of falls, prolonged recovery after surgery, change of mood, frequent colds, reduced strength, reduced mobility, reduced communication abilities, difficulty keeping warm, infections, as well as prolonged healing.  Cognitive deficits such as Dementia, have a direct effect on a person’s nutrition. Malnutrition or under nutrition may occur at any stage of dementia. It is important to detect it and try to remedy this as early as possible.

Did you know? Up to 45 per cent of people living with dementia experience clinically significant weight loss over one year, and up to half of people with moderate or severe dementia have an inadequate food and nutritional intake. Some experience very quick weight loss, dropping to a withering 70-90 lbs. in a span of several months.  As dementia advances, it’s difficult to ensure that those living with dementia are eating and drinking enough. Eating difficulties are also very common in those living with Alzheimer’s Disease. These challenges increase the risk for malnutrition and can worsen other health conditions a person may already have. There are numerous reasons for poor appetite to develop, including depression, communication problems, sensory impairments, change in taste and smell, pain, tiredness, medication side effects, physical inactivity, and constipation.  Some people with dementia may lose their ability to concentrate, so they become distracted while eating and stop eating as a result. Other people may have trouble using utensils or raising a glass. It may also be challenging to bring the food from the plate to their mouth. Some people may need to be reminded to open their mouths to put food in it or even to chew. Another common problem in more severe dementia cases is dysphagia, which is difficulty swallowing. Dysphagia can lead to weight loss, malnutrition, or dehydration. Over time you may find that your loved one’s appetite declines or the taste of food doesn’t appeal to them. Sensory changes in sight and smell can impact their ability to enjoy food and mealtimes. Their likes and dislikes for food and drink may be quite dramatic and different from the ones they held for many years. They may also find it difficult to tell you what they want to eat.

Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease are not the chronic conditions that often cause malnutrition or under nutrition. Other chronic conditions often impact a person’s nutrition. Many illnesses cause what is called disease-related malnutrition. Many people living with Parkinson’s disease, suffer from muscle weakness or tremors, which can make eating very challenging. Other diseases that often cause nutrition deficiencies are cancer, liver disease, COPD, and CHF to name a few.

In many of these cases, the malnutrition and under nutrition are severe, and all conventional methods have failed. Orchard’s State of the Art Nutrition Therapy Program offers hope for this group, a group that has not responded to traditional nutrition methods. Orchard has partnered with Gordon Foods and their team of experts and dieticians, as well as with dementia specialists to bring this revolutionary nutrition therapy to the community.

Join us on February 27th 4 pm-6 pm as we unveil our Nutrition Therapy Program to area professionals who are interested in helping our community battle this difficult problem. This event will be held at; Orchard at Tucker, 2060 Idlewood Rd, Tucker GA 30084. For questions or to RSVP for the event please email marketing@orchardseniorliving.com. 

Improved Nutrition outcomes are within reach for those living with Dementia and other chronic illnesses.

Improved Nutrition outcomes are within reach for those living with Dementia and other chronic illnesses.

Final Stages of Nutrition Therapy Development for Dementia Residents

What is Nutrition Therapy and who can benefit from it?

Eating and enjoying a meal is part of our everyday life and important to everybody, not least to people living with dementia. A healthy diet and nutrition is fundamental to well being at any stage of life and to helping to combat other life-threatening diseases. We believe it plays as important a role in relation to dementia progression, and a resident’s quality of life. Under-nutrition is common among older people generally, particularly common among people with dementia. Under nutrition tends to be progressive, with weight loss often preceding the onset of dementia and then increasing in pace as the disease progresses. The mechanisms underlying weight loss and under nutrition in dementia are complex, multi factorial, and unique to each person. Common reasons include reduced appetite, increased activity, the need for a modified diet and, decreased nutrient absorption. For some forms of dementia, it may be that central regulation of appetite and metabolism is disturbed as an inherent feature of the disease. Although we can’t avoid these symptoms which lead to malnutrition and under nutrition, we can manage them with a variety of Nutrition Therapy Options. Orchard at Tucker’s Nutrition Therapy Program is designed to help combat under nutrition and bring back the joy of eating to those who have lost it.

We are in the Final Testing Stages..

After many months of work with our team and partnering dieticians, Orchard Senior Living is in the Final Testing Stage of our 4 Part Nutrition Therapy Program.  Today’s enriched smoothies were a huge hit. These enriched smoothies are designed to help those in the moderate to severe stage of dementia, who have lost significant weight in the last 6 months, and for whom all other care and environmental modifications have failed.  Each 4 oz pretty glass delivered 240 calories, 9 grams of Organic Protein, and so much more. Most importantly each glass looked and tasted amazing!picc (2)

Orchard at Tucker’s Nutrition Therapy Program Coming in nt22018..

Nutrition Therapy at Each Level of Dementia Care

mousse-desserts-square.dlWhat is a common challenge for those with Dementia?

Challenges at mealtime are extremely common for those with dementia. These mealtime challenges will change as dementia progresses. There are distinct and separate challenges that are associated with early, middle and late stage dementia.

What are the common mealtime challenges for those in the Early Stage of Dementia?

  • Forgetfulness
  • Loss of concentration
  • Changes in food preferences
  • Reporting that foods taste bland (foods previously enjoyed)
  • No longer enjoying favorite restaurants
  • Unable to hold attention through a meal
  • Distracted by the environment at mealtime

What are the common mealtime challenges for those in the Moderate Stage of Dementia?

  • Confusion and unawareness of surroundings, place and time
  • Appetite increase and weight gain
  • Decreased appetite and weight loss
  • Failure to understand proper use of utensils
  • Refusal to sit during meal times- pacing, wandering
  • Increased difficulty with word finding and decision making
  • Unable to recognize food temperatures
  • Unable to see food as food (may think food is poisoned)
  • Unable to recognize food items once liked
  • Hiding of food

What are the common mealtime challenges for those in the Severe Stage of Dementia?

  • Preference for liquids over solids, due to appetite change or lack of swallowing ability
  • Aggressive or combative behaviors during a mealSmoothies
  • Clenches jaw, or closed fist when attempting to feed or be fed
  • Refusal to eat due to unknown reasons (variety reasons could be at play)
  • Inability to self feed, not being used to being fed
  • Swallowing impairments ranging from mild to severe
  • Weight loss despite regular caloric intake (can also be due to increase activity due to increased anxiety)

What are some important tips for a creating a dining environment for those with Dementia?

  • Tableware contrast ( avoid white plates on white linens)
  • Too many utensils
  • Avoid high gloss floors
  • Natural light is best
  • Avoid a distracting dining environment with too many items on the table
  • Make sure the table and chair is sturdy, and of the right height
  • Simplified dining room is best
  • All food served at once is usually best (although there are some exceptions)
  • Offer finger foods (avoid finger food that are too intricate or rare)

What if the above tips do not work?

If the above tips do not help with the challenges presented at mealtime, your team needs to take further steps to make sure that nutritional needs are met and your resident with Dementia is getting adequate caloric intake and the necessary nutrition.

The first thing your team needs to do is to do a full assessment of each person’s unique situation and determine the specific deficiencies caused by the mealtime challenges.  During the assessment your team must set goals and prioritize the deficiencies, identify resources needed based on the severity of a person’s challenges. Your team needs to also identify possible behavioral and nutrition interventions such as a change of dining environment. Finally your team should specify the time and frequency of the intervention.

What’s Next?

Please check back soon for Part II of this article

 

Providing Nutrition Care in a Dementia Care Facility

What Role Does Eating Play in Dementia?

Eating plays an important role in all our lives. Eating is often a social event, as
well as quality time shared with family and friends. Eating can also provide structure to the day.indeeee
For seniors with dementia, eating and drinking can become more difficult. They
may be less able to feed themselves and may also have a poor appetite or
lose interest in food, making it more challenging to achieve good nutrition.
This can be a source of great distress for both the resident and their family and also lead to malnutrition.

What Role Do Fluids Play in Dementia?

Drinking is also important for everyone, including for seniors with Dementia & Alzheimer’s Disease.It is important to aim for at least 8 cups of fluids a day. Fluids can include water, tea, coffee, fruit juice, liquid soup, and milk.
Although it is difficult for some people of all ages to drinking 8 cups a day, it is particularly difficult for seniors and extremely difficult for seniors with Dementia or Alzheimer’s. Some seniors with Dementia may not recognize that they are thirsty or even
may forget to drink all together. This lack of fluids can cause dehydration which leads to constipation, urinary tract infections and can also increased confusion and irritability.

Tips you can use to make eating easier for seniors with dementia?

  • Avoid distracting noises from television by eating in a dining room
  • Meal presentation must be appetizing, neat, and organized, as well as appropriately portioned.
  • Avoid serving meals of one color or one texture
  • Eating in company will enhance eating
  • Offer a variety of foods, including a variety of textures and colors
  • Provide frequent gentle reminding
  • Offer extra food if it seems a person is really eating well that day.

Tips you can use to make drinking easier for seniors with dementia?

  • Make drinks available frequently throughout the day, offer numerous times
  • Put the cup into the seniors hand to prompt them to drink, rather than leaving it on the table and them forgetting itdehydration-lead
  • Offer a variety of fluid options, not everyone will drink water
  • If you are offering water, put it in a pretty cup
  • Offer flavored water over plain water
  • Do not fill a cup that is too large and seems overwhelming