Unit CU1672 - Understand and meet the nutritional requirements of individuals with dementia
Understand the nutritional needs that are unique to individuals with dementia
1.1 - Describe how cognitive functional and emotional changes associated with dementia can affect eating drinking and nutrition:
Cognitive: if cognitive ability is impaired a patient could forget to eat, or think they aren’t being fed at all as well as forgetting to drink etc, they may also leave cookers or other hot things on as they have forgotten they have put them on,
Functional: They may not be able to feed themselves properly or be able to drink. They may not be able to hold or lift cutlery properly.
Emotional: They may be too distressed to eat or drink may also forget that they need to eat or drink.
1.2 - Explain how poor nutrition can contribute to an individual’s experience of dementia:
Poor nutrition habits can be a behavioral health issue, because nutrition and diet affect how you feel, look, think and act. A bad diet results in lower core strength, slower problem solving ability and muscle response time, and less alertness. Poor nutrition creates many other negative health effects as well. So it can lead to even more confusion and forgetfulness leading to even more illness and distress
1.3 - Outline how other health and emotional conditions may affect the nutritional needs of an individual with dementia:
Depression can lead to loss of appetite and lack of interest in food.
Social isolation can also be a big factor for loss of appetite Forgetfulness
Illness and medications can result in reduced appetite and difficulties with shopping, preparing and eating food.
Malabsorption conditions (i.e. gastritis & pernicious anaemia) reduce ability to absorb B12 from food.
Problems with incontinence may stop individuals eating and drinking normally. Some medication can contribute to constipation and again this may stop people eating and drinking not realising this can make it worse.
1.4 - Explain the importance of recognising and meeting an
1.1 - Describe how cognitive functional and emotional changes associated with dementia can affect eating drinking and nutrition:
Cognitive: if cognitive ability is impaired a patient could forget to eat, or think they aren’t being fed at all as well as forgetting to drink etc, they may also leave cookers or other hot things on as they have forgotten they have put them on,
Functional: They may not be able to feed themselves properly or be able to drink. They may not be able to hold or lift cutlery properly.
Emotional: They may be too distressed to eat or drink may also forget that they need to eat or drink.
1.2 - Explain how poor nutrition can contribute to an individual’s experience of dementia:
Poor nutrition habits can be a behavioral health issue, because nutrition and diet affect how you feel, look, think and act. A bad diet results in lower core strength, slower problem solving ability and muscle response time, and less alertness. Poor nutrition creates many other negative health effects as well. So it can lead to even more confusion and forgetfulness leading to even more illness and distress
1.3 - Outline how other health and emotional conditions may affect the nutritional needs of an individual with dementia:
Depression can lead to loss of appetite and lack of interest in food.
Social isolation can also be a big factor for loss of appetite Forgetfulness
Illness and medications can result in reduced appetite and difficulties with shopping, preparing and eating food.
Malabsorption conditions (i.e. gastritis & pernicious anaemia) reduce ability to absorb B12 from food.
Problems with incontinence may stop individuals eating and drinking normally. Some medication can contribute to constipation and again this may stop people eating and drinking not realising this can make it worse.
1.4 - Explain the importance of recognising and meeting an