The effect of loneliness on malnutrition in elderly patients
Rezaei, Mohammad (2019)
Rezaei, Mohammad
2019
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2019053113888
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2019053113888
Tiivistelmä
The primary objective of the current thesis was to examine the effect of loneliness on malnutrition in elderly patients. Data was collected from secondary sources. King's theory of goal attainment guided the study. The study was guided by two research questions as follows Q1. How does loneliness affect malnutrition in elderly patients?
Q2. What is the role of nurses in caring for elderly patients suffering from loneliness and malnutrition?
The study established that that loneliness is a complex phenomenon which can impair the quality of life among elderly patients. The literature review established that loneliness is significantly associated with malnutrition among older people. Notably, the thesis established that loneliness affects malnutrition by limiting functional capacity, by affecting appetite, and by affecting nutritional intake. The study also established that nurses can help care for elderly patients suffering from loneliness and malnutrition. Loneliness may be alleviated either using group interventions or individual interventions. The study established that nurses should use a multidisciplinary approach in caring for malnourished elderly patients. As dictated by the King’s theory of goal attainment, nurses should seek to collaborate with their patients and patients’ family in offering disease treatment options. The development of a treatment plan and the subsequent delivery of care should be a shared responsibility between the nurse, his or her patients, and the patients’ family as dictated by the King's theory of goal attainment. They should also identify and monitor elderly patients who are at the risk of malnutrition. Specific nurse interventions that can be used to address the problem of malnutrition include nurse-nutritional counseling, additional feeding program, and use of nutritional supplements and appetite stimulants. Nurses should for instance use drugs such as ghrelin, oral nutritional supplements and individualized diet to treat those at high risk of malnutrition. The use of ONS was also seen to improve energy and protein intake among elderly patients. Nurses should also design a volunteer feeding assistance to help malnourished elderly patients. The researcher understands that there are other factors responsible for malnutrition among the elderly and thus suggests other researchers examine them.
Q2. What is the role of nurses in caring for elderly patients suffering from loneliness and malnutrition?
The study established that that loneliness is a complex phenomenon which can impair the quality of life among elderly patients. The literature review established that loneliness is significantly associated with malnutrition among older people. Notably, the thesis established that loneliness affects malnutrition by limiting functional capacity, by affecting appetite, and by affecting nutritional intake. The study also established that nurses can help care for elderly patients suffering from loneliness and malnutrition. Loneliness may be alleviated either using group interventions or individual interventions. The study established that nurses should use a multidisciplinary approach in caring for malnourished elderly patients. As dictated by the King’s theory of goal attainment, nurses should seek to collaborate with their patients and patients’ family in offering disease treatment options. The development of a treatment plan and the subsequent delivery of care should be a shared responsibility between the nurse, his or her patients, and the patients’ family as dictated by the King's theory of goal attainment. They should also identify and monitor elderly patients who are at the risk of malnutrition. Specific nurse interventions that can be used to address the problem of malnutrition include nurse-nutritional counseling, additional feeding program, and use of nutritional supplements and appetite stimulants. Nurses should for instance use drugs such as ghrelin, oral nutritional supplements and individualized diet to treat those at high risk of malnutrition. The use of ONS was also seen to improve energy and protein intake among elderly patients. Nurses should also design a volunteer feeding assistance to help malnourished elderly patients. The researcher understands that there are other factors responsible for malnutrition among the elderly and thus suggests other researchers examine them.