INDIVIDUAL ASSESSMENT

Individual Assessment

Individual Assessment

Introduction

This assignment is based on individual assessment of a person. The chosen individual that needs to be assessed is a white male Caucasian with Age 68. This individual will be assessed on the following factors. This individual was interviewed and the following report is compiled. The data is gathered and complied through the various assessment forms that were filled during the interview.

Nutritional Assessment and Invention

Nutrition is an important determinant of health in persons over the age of 65. In this case malnutrition in a white male Caucasians is often underdiagnosed. Careful nutritional assessment is necessary for both the successful diagnosis and development of comprehensive treatment plans for malnutrition in this population.

Functional Health Status inventory

Age-related changes in body composition result in a slight decline in lean body mass. This decline is usually more dramatic after the age of 60 as in case of this white male Caucasian. Consequently, basal metabolism or energy requirements for the elderly diminish by about 100 kcal/day per decade. For some seniors it may be difficult to meet daily micronutrient requirements with this reduced caloric intake. To combat this, a multivitamin supplement for seniors is recommended, especially for those whose caloric intake is less than 1500 kcal/day.

Alterations in taste and smell are associated with aging. It is unclear if these normal physiological changes contribute to decreased food intake. Other gastrointestinal changes occur with age and may affect oral intake. For example, greater satiation after a meal and a delay in gastric emptying has been shown in older people. Appetite after an overnight fast is often lower in the elderly. Oral and dental issues, esophageal motility, and atrophic gastritis may also affect nutritional status. The latter may be implicated in impaired vitamin B12 and iron adsorption. (Baldwin , 2001) Dental problems (including poorly-fitting dentures) are often associated with nutrition problems.

Nutrition has an impact on the immune system of this white male Caucasian. The elderly are more likely to die of infections than young adults, and malnutrition is related to an increased risk of sepsis in the elderly. Impaired T-cell response, changes in phagocyte and macrophage function, and reduced delayed-hypersensitivity response contribute to an overall decline in age-related immune function. Infections of all kinds increase metabolic rate, making it more difficult for older persons to eat enough to keep up with elevated energy demands. (Hall , 2000)

Communicable Disease Risk Factor Inventory

It has also been noticed in the white male Caucasian that alterations in taste and smell are associated with aging. It is unclear if these normal physiological changes contribute to decreased food intake. Other gastrointestinal changes occur with age and may affect oral intake. For example, greater satiation after a meal and a delay in gastric emptying has been shown in older people. Appetite after an overnight fast is often lower in the elderly. Oral and dental issues, esophageal motility, and atrophic gastritis may also affect nutritional status. The latter may be implicated in impaired vitamin B12 and iron ...