Abstract

Malnutrition is a common problem among elderly people. The prevalence of abnormal nutritional status is usually underestimated, the importance of the problem is often minimized, and the assessment ignored in routine examination of patients. The recommendations regarding the evaluation of nutritional status of hospitalized patients have been introduced to Poland recently. There is a wide array of diagnostic methods, ranging from simple screening instruments through very extensive questionnaires, to methods using specialized and expensive equipment (bioelectrical impedance analysis, dual energy X-ray absorptiometry). Early detection of abnormal nutritional status allows for the implementation of appropriate nutritional intervention. Nutritional treatment includes adjustment of the diet according to the patient’s needs, food fortification and oral dietary supplements, in specific circumstances introduction of enteral and parenteral nutrition.

Adres: mgr piel. Marzanna Mziray
Zakład Pielęgniarstwa Społecznego i Promocji Zdrowia GUMed
ul. Dębinki 7, 80-211 Gdańsk
tel.: 58 349 19 87
e-mail: mmziray@gumed.edu.pl