Health Sciences
Kaplan University School of Health Sciences
NS325 Nutrition Across the Life Cycle
Unit 8 Assignment: Betsy Case Study
Unit outcomes addressed in this Assignment:
• Explain how body composition changes with aging. • Explain how energy and nutrient needs have been established for older
adults. • Identify chronic diseases common in old age and the appropriate
interventions.
Course outcome assessed/addressed in this Assignment:
• NS325-1: Discuss how nutrient needs change throughout the life cycle. • NS325-5: Explain how changing body composition, metabolism, and
socioeconomic factors affect the nutritional status of geriatric populations. • GEL-7.4: Evaluate the reasoning of opposing perspectives on ethical
issues.
Instructions:
Read the following scenario:
Betsy, a 79-year-old woman, was evaluated in your office. She lives with her 81- year-old husband who is her primary caregiver. He reports that approximately 2 years ago his wife began to lose interest in the things she enjoyed like shopping, cooking, and sewing. Gradually she become less interested in food and has lost 18 pounds in the past year. He has tried commercial nutritional supplements but has not been successful getting her to consume them. He stated he is not much of a cook but has been trying his best. He is frustrated and concerned about his wife’s weight loss and lack of appetite. He feels he is constantly trying to get her to eat. He does not have any family support as he and his wife never had children. Her medical evaluation revealed cognitive impairment using the Mini- Mental State Examination. She does not appear to have any chewing or swallowing problems but has not seen a dentist in over three years. She takes one prescription medication for her arthritis. This couple is on a fixed income from social security. Her height is 5’1” and current weight is 100 pounds. Past weight was 118 pounds (1 year ago).
Kaplan University School of Health Sciences
NS325 Nutrition Across the Life Cycle
Answer the following questions about Betsy. Your responses should be phrased as though you were counseling the client. This means explaining your answers in detail. Please refer to question one for an example of an acceptable response.
• As Betsy ages, how has her body composition changed from when she was 50 years old until now?
Example Response: Betsy, as you age your body will go through a number of changes such as X,Y, and Z. For example, when you were 50 years old you may have been able to do X, but now at 79 you may be a little limited in doing that function.
• Based on Betsy’s scenario, what are at least two socioeconomic factors that are impacting her nutritional and health status?
Based on Betsy’s scenario, design a 5-day meal plan for her. Make sure to include the caloric amount she needs, portion sizes, distribution of macronutrients, and highlight at minimum two micronutrients she needs to consume more of as she continues to age (i.e., vitamin D)
Please read the following article available in the Kaplan University Library, and use this information to help guide your responses to the following questions.
Mueller, P.S., Hook, C.C., & Fleming, K. (2004). Ethical issues in geriatrics: A guide for clinicians. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 79(4), 554–562.
• What are at least two ethical concerns for both Betsy and her husband, given her own personal rights as well as his concerns over her well-being? Answer this question thinking more about the nutritional aspects of ethics. Examples of ethical concerns could be safety and abuse (for example, not feeding her the proper consistency of foods).
• As a nutrition professional, how would you address these concerns?
Requirements:
• Responses are written in paragraph format. • Double spaced, 12 point, Times New Roman font. • The minimum page limit is 3 pages or 900 words double spaced. • Include at least two references. The course textbook counts as one
reference. All references should follow APA style format. • For additional support utilize the Kaplan Writing Center, and, review the
document “Writing Center Resources” in Doc Sharing.
Kaplan University School of Health Sciences
NS325 Nutrition Across the Life Cycle
Submitting Your Work
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Unit 8 Assignment Grading Rubric = 180 points
Assignment Requirements Points possible
Points earned by
student
Discusses the metabolic changes from 50 years to 79 years of age
– Does not address this question at all (-15 points) – Only addresses 1 metabolic change (-7.5 points)
0–15
Describes and discusses two socioeconomic factors that impact elderly’s nutritional status
– Does not address this question at all (-15 points) – Only addresses 1 socioeconomic factor (-7.5 points)
0–15
Provides a 5 day meal plan that includes calorie needs, macronutrient breakdown, and at least 2 micronutrients
– Does not address this question at all (-120 points) – Only provides 3 meals (-60 points) – Does not provide macronutrient percentages (-30 points) – Only provides 1 micronutrient (-15 points) – Does not provide calorie needs (-15 points)
0–120
Identifies and discusses two ethical dilemmas within this scenario
– Does not address this question at all (-15 points) – Only addresses 1 ethical dilemma (-7.5 points)
0–15
Describes how one would address these ethical dilemmas
– Does not address this question at all (-15 points)
0-15
Total (Sum of all points)
Kaplan University School of Health Sciences
NS325 Nutrition Across the Life Cycle
Points deducted for spelling, grammar, and/or APA errors.
Adjusted total points
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