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Tag Archives: nutrition support

How Dietitians help manage malnutrition

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Too little, or too much of one thing – malnutrition comes in many forms.

Whether it be insufficient nutrient intake, excessive intake of low nutrient foods or diets that are missing specific nutrients, an imbalance in what we eat can lead to poor health outcomes. Our Empower Healthcare dietitians can help manage malnutrition.

Dietitians are trained to identify the causes and risk factors for malnutrition across all age groups. They work with people struggling to meet their nutritional needs to develop interventions that restore the balance of nutrients required for vitality, energy, health and well-being.

Food First

When possible, dietitians develop diet plans that place good quality, nutrient rich foods at the core of treating malnutrition. Simple substitutions and manageable changes take preference. The unique needs of people are also incorporated into menus and meal plans in consultation with clients, their families and caregivers.

Supplementation

Where food alone cannot meet the nutritional needs of clients due to specific deficiencies, physical barriers or illness, dietitians may recommend supplements to boost intake. In cases where a person cannot receive food by mouth, dietitians may create a plan for supplements to be provided by a tube as the only source of nutrition. Improving energy and vitality through careful use of supplementation can restore food tolerance and appetite, as well as improve physical function, independence and quality of life.

Monitoring

Managing and treating malnutrition requires careful monitoring to ensure that strategies are working and nutritional status is improving. Dietitians consult with clients and caregivers in person or via telehealth to follow up on dietary interventions and adjust them to the changing needs of their clients. Diet and food preferences are sensitive and complex- involving personal, financial, cultural and psychological factors. When poor nutrition negatively impacts health, dietitians play a vital role in restoring balance and well-being, taking all factors into consideration while ensuring that food and eating be as safe, enjoyable and beneficial as possible.

Book a Referral today to help your clients manage malnutrition.

Read some of our other blogs

Six signs that your client or resident may need a dietitian

Have you considered Group Therapy?

About Empower

We Change Lives

Empower Healthcare is a national allied-health service provider and partner with Home Care package providers, NDIS plan managers & Aged Care organisations to deliver life changing allied health services. We offer a full-service platform from physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry, dietetics to osteopathy, massage therapy and most recently, home nursing services and pride ourselves in the delivery of high-quality therapy solutions, value packed services and responsive ethos.

It is a very exciting time with Empower Healthcare building on the success of its Victorian operation and now expanding nationally into NSW & WA. With a growing team of 100+ clinicians, we provide over 1,500 treatments every day and service more than 100 healthcare organisations. Building on this strong foundation, we are well positioned and committed to delivering exceptional care.

Our therapists genuinely care about the people we work with and take the time to build strong relationships that holistically improve social, physical and mental wellbeing to live happier and healthier lives.

How To Get Clients Started With Our Home Care & NDIS Services

Simply click on the image below for our referral form.

Referral on-boarding now completed online in minutes

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Six signs that your client or resident may need a dietitian

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Malnutrition is often missed in older people.

Appetite and weight tend to decrease slowly as older people who manage their own shopping, food preparation and eating reduce dietary intake without realising it. Family members and carers who see the person regularly may only begin noticing the weight loss after significant physical changes have occurred. While the causes of weight loss are complex, here are a few indicators that someone may need dietary intervention:

  1. Unplanned weight loss in the last 3-6 months
  2.  Falling Body Mass Index (BMI)
  3. Reduced nutritional intake
  4. Low levels of nutrients noted during blood analysis
  5. A history of alcohol misuse
  6. Use of medicines including insulin, chemotherapy, antacids, or diuretics.

Dieticians specialise in improving and optimising nutrition by considering the needs and preferences of the individual. Early, practical intervention can help in maintaining general health, activity levels and independence for older people living in the community and in residential aged care.

About Empower

We Change Lives

Empower Healthcare is a national allied-health service provider and partner with Home Care package providers, NDIS plan managers & Aged Care organisations to deliver life changing allied health services. We offer a full-service platform from physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry, dietetics to osteopathy, massage therapy and most recently, home nursing services and pride ourselves in the delivery of high-quality therapy solutions, value packed services and responsive ethos.

It is a very exciting time with Empower Healthcare building on the success of its Victorian operation and now expanding nationally into NSW & WA. With a growing team of 100+ clinicians, we provide over 1,500 treatments every day and service more than 100 healthcare organisations. Building on this strong foundation, we are well positioned and committed to delivering exceptional care.

Our therapists genuinely care about the people we work with and take the time to build strong relationships that holistically improve social, physical and mental wellbeing to live happier and healthier lives.

 

How To Get Clients Started With Our Home Care & NDIS Services

Simply click on the image below for our referral form.

Referral on-boarding now completed online in minutes

 …

Six ways a dietitian can help your ageing clients

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Malnutrition is a common cause of loss of vitality and poor health outcomes in older people.

Reduced dietary intake of essential nutrients and calories often occurs as a result of a combination of conditions and factors that can make food preparation and eating difficult and unappealing for older adults. Getting to the bottom of why someone may be developing nutrient and calorie deficits and implementing strategies to improve diet and quality of life can take time and expertise.

A dietitian can assist in the management of at-risk older people living in the community and residential aged care settings by:

1. Screening to ascertain the BMI and nutritional intake of people experiencing unwanted weight loss.- Comprehensive assessments to determine the causes of malnutrition.

2. Implementing “Food First” strategies like eating small but frequent, high energy, high protein snacks and meals.

3. Implementing nutrition support for malnourished people who are unable to maintain body weight by food intake alone.

4. Developing practical and appropriate meal plans and schedules to improve daily nutritional intake.

5. Supporting people in the community to access meal and food services that meet their individual tastes, dietary needs, and abilities.

6. Improve the quality of life of ageing clients by increasing the energy they have available to participate in social and community activities.

Diet and food preferences are personal and often sensitive matters, dieticians work with individuals to create the best personalized and enjoyable solutions for people struggling to maintain adequate nutrient intake.

Empower’s dietetic services is available across all of our service channels, residential aged care, home care and NDIS.  Please click on the relevant link below to learn more.

About Empower

We Change Lives

Empower Healthcare is a national allied-health service provider and partner with Home Care package providers, NDIS plan managers & Aged Care organisations to deliver life changing allied health services. We offer a full-service platform from physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry, dietetics to osteopathy, massage therapy and most recently, home nursing services and pride ourselves in the delivery of high-quality therapy solutions, value packed services and responsive ethos.

It is a very exciting time with Empower Healthcare building on the success of its Victorian operation and now expanding nationally into NSW & WA. With a growing team of 100+ clinicians, we provide over 1,500 treatments every day and service more than 100 healthcare organisations. Building on this strong foundation, we are well positioned and committed to delivering exceptional care.

Our therapists genuinely care about the people we work with and take the time to build strong relationships that holistically improve social, physical and mental wellbeing to live happier and healthier lives.

 

How To Get Clients Started With Our Home Care & NDIS Services

Simply click on the image below for our referral form.

Referral on-boarding now completed online in minutes

 …