Nursing Homes
Nursing Home Awareness Campaigns
Nutrition and Hydration Awareness: Nutrition Care Alerts
Malnutrition is not a response to normal aging: it can arise from
many causes. Its presence may signal the worsening of a
life-threatening illness, and it should always be seen as a
dramatic indicator of the risk of sudden decline in the elderly.
Dehydration is a condition in which water or fluid loss far exceeds
fluid intake. The body becomes less able to maintain adequate
blood pressure, deliver sufficient oxygen and nutrients to the
cells, and rid itself of wastes.
Regardless of the causes, early problem recognition can help to
ensure appropriate and timely nutritional and or fluid intervention.
For many residents, simple adjustments in feeding or drinking
patterns may be sufficient. For others, compensation or correction
for food and fluid intake problems may be required.
A Nutrition/Hydration Awareness Campaign has been developed
to call attention to the early warning signs of unintended weight
loss and dehydration among residents of long term care
facilities. "Nutrition Care Alerts", present an easy to follow
method of observing warning signs for unintended weight loss
and dehydration and action steps that should be taken to avoid
further progression of the condition.
"Nutrition Care Alerts" are designed to assist Certified Nurse
Assistants in nursing homes in identifying residents who are at
risk for malnutrition and dehydration. However, "Nutrition Care
Alerts" can be used by family members, friends, and other
caregivers of the elderly to help prevent unintended weight loss
and dehydration.
Additonal information about
Nutrition and Hydration Care
can be viewed on www.cms.hhs.gov.
 Top of page
|
