Life Cycle Presentation: Elderly

Life Cycle Presentation - Elderly
Introduction
Regardless of age, race, ethnicity, cultural background, gender or one’s apparent social standing, life is precious whatever one’s circumstances. The human body is no respecter of persons and in order to have a healthy body, a healthy lifestyle must be maintained. Team D will analyse the lifestyle of the elderly, what psychological events occur at this stage of life and how this may impact health. The Team will also explore the basic nutritional needs and what is unique about the needs of this group. At any stage of life disease may be a threat, those diseases proving to be such a threat to the elderly will be examined as to their root cause. Lastly, diet and physical activity for this group
will be considered as a necessary part of an overall healthy lifestyle for the elderly.
Description of the Elderly Stage of the Life Cycle
The final stage of the human lifecycle is that of the elderly or older adult.
At this stage of life the body has slowed down some more and cells are not regenerated as with a younger body. Some nutrients are also no longer absorbed naturally in the body’s cells. According to Wardlaw and Smith, “Although people older than 65 account for 13% of the U.S. population, they account for more than 25% of all prescription medications used, 40% of acute hospital stays, and 50% of the federal health budget” (2009, page 606). Significant Physiological Events At This Stage of Life
As the physical body begins to degenerate, so too does the mental facilities of some older people. At this stage significant physiological events, which may occur in the lives of the elderly include physical ailments, memory loss, confusion, lack of appetite and disturbed sleep patterns. Another significant event, which may be overlooked due to the presence of other illnesses or complaints, is depression. Research suggests the following reasons why the elderly are more prone to depression:
• Changes in the quality and quantity of neurotransmitters in the brain of the older adult probably affect his/her susceptibility to
depression.
• Second, while loss of physiological function with normal aging, namely in the liver, kidneys, brain, heart, and muscle-skeletal system in itself does not lead to illness, it may make an elder less flexible in coping with physical or psychological stresses. (Oppermann, 2009)
Oppermann believes that depression should be treated as a chronic illness requiring as much attention as hypertension or diabetes as symptoms may range from an attitude of simple negativity to one of an inclination towards suicide.
The outward appearance of depression is a deep sadness, which does not seem to go away and which may be accompanied by “feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, helplessness, decreased interest and pleasure in activities, lethargy, anorexia, insomnia, decreased concentration, memory impairment, delusions, and suicidal thoughts. Depression results from a complex interaction of biologic predisposition and life events” (2009).
Basic Nutritional Needs
The basic nutritional needs of the elderly may be complicated by the fact that not all older adults lead sedentary lives. While the macronutrient requirements do not change from young adults’ needs, the micronutrient needs do. Wardlaw and Smith, suggests that following a diet based on the guidelines of MyPyramid can meet all the nutrient needs of healthy older people within about 1600 to 1800 kcal. Micronutrients, Vitamin D and B12 will have to be obtained through fortified foods such as ready-to-eat breakfast cereals (2009).
Sarah Jarvis, writing for the column 55-Plus in the Timaru Herald newspaper, quoted Crown Public Health dietician Liz Cutler who stated "Older people need generous amounts of meat, fish, poultry and legumes. Nutrients that are required in higher amounts include vitamins such as
B6, D, B12, calcium (for women) and folate."
Uniqueness of the Nutritional Requirements of the Elderly
Of notable interest is the uniqueness of the nutritional requirements for the elderly. Cutler noted that much of the decline in health associated with old age was not in fact a consequence of the aging process but from poor nutrition. Even though an elderly person might be of the correct weight, this was no indication they were also well nourished. Such an assumption could not be based on weight alone as that older person may not necessarily be getting the right nutrients he or she needed. Cutler also advised that older people should have a little fat as fat provides a ready store of calories, which is useful if an older person falls ill. Besides providing energy in the form of calories, fat helps to regulate body temperature, and protects organs and joints (Jarvis, 2005).
Wardlaw and Smith on the other hand noted the reverse in that that the nutritional problems experienced by older people are as a result of chronic diseases and the normal decrease in organ function, which occur over time. Degeneration such as loss of teeth, lessened sensitivity to taste and smell, changes in the GI tract function, and deterioration in cardiovascular and bone health were cited as results of normal decrease in bodily functions over time.

Diseases Common to the Elderly
The elderly are plagued by many diseases most of which can be avoided by a well-balanced and nutritious diet along with physical activity. Research has established a relation between Vitamin D deficiency and common diseases in the elderly. Leif Mosekilde, of the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism at Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark, found that a vitamin D deficiency was common among community-dwelling elderly in developed countries at higher latitudes and among the institutionalised elderly, geriatric patients and patients with hip fractures. A deficiency in this vitamin can lead to osteoporosis, falls and fractures as well as other disorders such as, cancer of the breast, prostate and colon, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disorders including hypertension (2005).
The Role of Diet in Prevention of Common Elderly Diseases
Although it has been suggested both that the diseases affecting the elderly are as a result of normal cell degeneration that comes with age, it has also been suggested that the elderly do not necessarily have to suffer the disease associated with their stage in life. A well-balanced nutritious meal, taken with foods rich in fortified vitamins along with physical activity, will help maintain a healthy body. Diet plans should be based on a nutrient dense approach and individualized for existing health problems according to Wardlaw and Smith. For this age group the specific nutrients needed in the diet are protein, vitamin D, vitamin B-6, folate, vitamin B-12, zinc and calcium along with fiber and fluids. A balanced multi-vitamin and mineral supplement is also recommended.