Nutrition & Aging

There are multiple things that can lead to malnutrition in older adults and it has become a serious issue in healthcare.  When discharged from the hospital, the importance is often put on medication or therapy and the nutrition aspect is forgotten. Many older adults have little knowledge about proper nutrition, poor oral health, and weakness during kitchen mobility/meal preparation.  As we age, we lose muscle mass and function which can lead to a condition called sarcopenia.  This condition often leads to disability and sometimes mortality.  Along with exercise, nutrition interventions are very beneficial for older adults who have malnourishment issues and sarcopenia.  There is limited research on occupational therapy's role in nutrition, however, malnutrition can be related to occupational performance, including eating and meal preparation. 

There are many occupational therapy interventions that can be involved around nutrition.  Educating a client who has poor oral health and difficulty chewing or swallowing on selecting or preparing soft foods.  As far as a group intervention, leading a support group for those who spouses have passed on different techniques for healthy meal preparation.  Advocating for OT's role in nutrition is very important because many healthcare professionals are not aware!

Glyph Drawing

We were given this leadership assignment over a year ago and had the opportunity to complete it once again just a few days ago.  After we completed our second drawing, we were able to compare it to our first.  I was absolutely amazed at the difference.  According to the drawings, my understandings and beliefs of being a leader have changed significantly.  I believe that this drawing represents how much this program has allowed me to grow in an area that I never imagined.  This program has given me many leadership opportunities and has pushed me out of my comfort zone, which showed me what I was capable of when I never knew it.  When we completed this drawing for the first time, I believed that people were born leaders and if you did not see yourself as a leader then you more than likely would never become one.  A year later, and my thoughts were the complete opposite because I became the "leader" that I never thought I would be.  I have always been very shy and afraid to speak up or take the lead.  One example is that I had the opportunity to serve as the Professional Development chair on our SOTA board allowing me to make many connections with professionals in the community.  Public speaking is most definitely not a strength, but introducing different guests to our class and professors gave me the chance to open up and face my fear.  I enjoyed being able to re-do this assignment to see how much my perspective of leadership has changed.  Take a look at my drawings below to see for yourself! :)