Life is a beautiful gift that is given to us moment by moment. We are given the opportunity to thrive and become the best we can, but in order to survive we must feed our bodies and minds with that of food and water. We as a human could not survive without water. It is one of the most essential nutrients of life. It plays a vital role within every bodily function, from regulating temperature to facilitating digestion and flushing out our waste products. Don’t forget your skin, you need to protect from drying out and cracking. Our bodies are made up of 60% water.
To help maintain our body temperatures we must perspire, but when you perspire you become dehydrated so you must replenish to continue on. We would only be able to survive a few days without water. It is very vital to monitor our fluid intake because of the necessity it brings to our lives. Hydration helps with cognitive function, but when you become dehydrated it does affect your brain function. Causes confusion, fatigue and a definite decrease in your alertness. This is why it is so important that you have your water bottles with you all the times. Hydration helps to keep our joints lubricated and can help reduce discomfort and the risk of arthritis. There are some of us who will ultimately get arthritis because of genetics and lifestyle, but why not put if off as long as you can. As for your digestive system water aids and prevents constipation. This is a common symptom among the elderly because they lose their desire for thirst and many medications they take can cause constipation. So, for you it is important to offer your residents or patients sips of water throughout the day as long as there are no doctor orders contradicting so. Your kidney function relies on hydration for flushing out our system of toxins. It also helps to prevent urinary tract infections and kidney stones. Water helps our circulatory system by keeping the blood volume high giving us efficient circulation and nutrient delivery throughout our bodies.
As I stated the elderly loose the sense for thirst as they age. Sometimes you may not even be aware of one’s dehydration because they may have other disease entities with similar symptoms. The symptoms that may occur with dehydration are dry mouth, fatigue, reduced urination, dizziness and even muscle cramping. Which a patient can have complaints of daily, but if you notice an increase of confusion, a rapid heart rate, low blood pressure, sunken eyes or even very dry flaky skin you need to report to the team leader so they can further investigate and tell the doctor. My own father was one to have an issue with drinking, he hated water. I even bought flavors to add, but I needed to make it enticing for him to drink. Make sure he would drink at least two bottles a day, but he preferred his tea and other fluids. It is hard to keep them functional because they are definitely independent and have their own minds. Some water is better than no water. One reason I found out that he hated to drink a lot of water was his inability to move and get to the bathroom to urinate. To much trouble in getting up and moving. I gave him a urinal to help with this issue especially for during the nighttime, I was afraid he would fall and hurt himself. It did help his mindset and he did drink a little more after that. Severe dehydration is a fluid loss of greater than 15%. Mild dehydration is a 5% loss and moderate dehydration is a 10% loss. No matter the loss it must be replenished to help restore and continue to maintain quality of life.
Nutrition is of great importance for our development and essential for all our life stages from birth. It helps us grow our bodies and brain keeping us healthy and age accordingly. The nutrients that food supplies help to maintain bodily functions, protect against illness such as heart disease, diabetes and even cancer supporting our overall health and well-being. The easiest and most basic way to keep nutrients in our lives is to eat regularly a balanced diet with all the appropriate food groups. Yes, it is definitely easier said than done. We have to try no matter our circumstances and help those who are unable to help themselves.
There are two major classes of food nutrients. Macronutrients which are carbohydrates, protein, and fats. These supply us with energy in the form of calories. They are also the building blocks of muscles and tissues. Micronutrients are the vitamins and minerals which are water-soluble vitamins, fat soluble vitamins, microminerals and trace minerals.
Proteins are essential for tissue growth, and repair, for muscles, skin and hair. Proteins are involved with the production of hormones and enzymes that regulate various body functions. They help to fight against infections and diseases by building up our immune system. They help to maintain our PH balance transporting and storing nutrients throughout the body. Eating protein can also help in blood sugar control and regulation. They come in sources of seafood, dried beans, poultry and soy products. Plant based proteins are beans, peas, soy-based products, vegetarian meat substitute nuts and seeds.
Carbohydrates provide the fiber which is necessary for bowel elimination. They serve as the bodies primary source of energy especially the brain and muscles. They play a vital role in digestion with blood sugar regulation and overall metabolic process. Anyone who is a diabetic is very aware of their carbohydrate intake. Carbohydrates incorporate breads, cereal, potatoes and are found in whole grains like oatmeal and pasta. The carbohydrates are broken down into glucose which is the bodies main fuel source. The glucose is used for the brain function and muscle movement. It gives us enough energy for our daily activities and any physical exertion. Our brain relies on the glucose for optimal cognitive function. Carbohydrates help with lipid metabolism and protein sparing whereby fats and proteins are utilized by our bodies more efficiently.
Fats are essential to our diets providing energy, supporting cell growth and helping with the absorption of vitamins. They also help with hormone production such as testosterone, brain function, maintaining healthy skin and hair. The fats in our body help to insulate and regulate body temperature and protect vital organs. Fats are a source of energy that we use during periods of fasting or real intense physical activity. We need fats to absorb the fat-soluble vitamins of A, D, E, and K. Vitamins cannot be made within our bodies they must be obtained through certain foods.
Even though our body does not produce vitamins they are very important to maintaining our overall health and well-being. They support cell growth, help to develop our immune system and help to give us the energy we need to function. They also help to prevent many diseases like scurvy, which is a lack of Vitamin C or rickets (poor bones) which is a lack of Vitamin D.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that protects our cells from free radicals. Vitamin C comes from citrus fruits, tomatoes, potatoes, peppers and broccoli.
Free radicals are molecules that come from outside sources like tobacco or the sun.
Vitamin D helps to regulate our calcium and phosphorus levels for bone health and immune function. Vitamin D is found in salmon, tuna, egg yolks, liver, fortified milk and some breakfast cereals.
Vitamin A is important for vision, cell growth, immune function and reproduction. Vitamin A is found in liver, fish, eggs and dairy products.
Vitamin E is important to maintain healthy skin and eyes. It helps to strengthen our immune system against infections. Vitamin E can be found in sunflower oil, olive oil, almonds, sunflower seeds, spinach, avocadoes, fortified cereals, and milk.
Vitamin K is very important for blood clotting and bone health. If patients are on a blood thinner and have a clotting problem Vitamin k is given to them. Vitamin K can be found in green leafy vegetables. So, patients on coumadin must be careful how much they eat. Can counteract the medication.
Vitamin B12 is important for nerve and blood cell health, our DNA synthesis and energy production. Vitamin B12 found in meat, fish, poultry eggs and dairy products.
Minerals are important for building and maintaining bones, teeth, transmitting nerve impulses and producing hormones. Calcium. Phosphorus, potassium, sodium and magnesium are the mineral we need. As well as trace minerals of iodine, zinc, iron and selenium.
Calcium (CA) is for strong bones and teeth. Muscle function and nerve transmission. Calcium can be found in milk, cheese, yogurt and green leafy vegetables.
Phosphorus (P) works along with the calcium building strong bones and teeth as well in energy production and cell growth. Phosphorus can be found in dairy, meat, poultry, fish and nuts.
Magnesium (Mg) is needed for muscle and nerve function, blood sugar control and blood pressure regulation. Magnesium can be found in spinach, almonds, avocadoes, bananas, dark chocolate, pumpkin seeds, cashews and even leafy green vegetables.
Sodium (NA) helps to regulate fluid balance and blood pressure. Too much can cause edema and increase BP. Also needed for never and muscle functions. Sodium is found mostly in processed foods like pizza, cold cuts, canned soups, but can also be found in breads, cheeses and eggs.
Iron (Fe) is needed so the body can make hemoglobin which is a protein in red blood cells. Iron can be found in red meats, poultry, salmon, tuna, oysters, liver and eggs.
Zinc (Zn) is important for cell replication, tissue repair and growth also paly a part in metabolism. Zinc can be found in red meats, fortified cereals, dairy products, legumes and nuts.
Selenium (Se) is an essential trace mineral for the immune system, metabolism and reproduction. Found in crab, fish poultry and wheats.
Iodine (I) is an important component of thyroid hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Iodine can be obtained from seafood like cod and tuna, dairy products and eggs. Also seaweed. Not that I would eat seaweed.
My Dad always said this famous phrase of his “It is a great life if we don’t weaken.” So, now you can see why the nutritional and hydration process is so very important for us to maintain our daily living. You as nursing assistants play a vital part in your patient/resident’s life by ensuring they are receiving the proper diets and enough of fluids to function daily. Your skills come in handy for the ability to help those who cannot help themselves. Remember to always wash your hands before and after assisting any patient with their meals. You may also have to help encourage the residents/ patient to wash their own hands. Sometimes they forget based on disease entities. Set them up comfortably make sure every place setting and utensils are within their reach. Before placing any diets in front of them check their ID band to make sure you have the right patient for the right diet. If someone has visual difficulties or blindness you may have to explain their dish like a clock. For example: potatoes are at 1100, green beans at 2:00, meat at 6:00. You get the idea. This helps to keep their independence and pride in check. Remember to document your intakes when it necessary for their health maintenance.
