Assignment Details
Betsy Case Study
View an introduction to the Assignment below. Be sure to adjust your audio settings.
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Unit Outcomes addressed in this Assignment:
Explain how body composition changes with aging.
Describe the physiologic and non-physiologic factors that influence health and nutrition status in older adults.
Explain how energy and nutrient needs have been established for older adults.
Identify chronic diseases common in old age and the appropriate interventions.
Discuss the nutrition benefits of a senior services, which includes retirement homes, assisted living, and nursing homes.
Course Outcomes 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 geriatric population.
GEL-7.4: Evaluate the reasoning of opposing perspectives on ethical issues.
Instructions:
Please 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 became 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).
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 the first question 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?
o Example Response: Betsy as you age your body will go through a number of changes such as X, Y, 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?
Calculate Betsy’s calorie needs (this requires you to use the Harris Benedict equation or the Mifflin St Jeor equation).
Provide the percentages of macronutrients she should consume on a daily basis (i.e., 50% of total calories from carbohydrates)
Based on Betsy’s scenario, design a 5-day meal plan for her that includes the proper portion sizes of each food (the portion sizes must adhere to the serving sizes set forth by the USDA: http://www.choosemyplate.gov/MyPlate). Each day of the meal plan must include a variety of foods. The meal plans must have breakfast, lunch, and dinner and at least 2 snacks. Also, include two micronutrients with the proper RDA’s that she needs to consume on a daily basis. Below is a template for you to use to design this meal plan.

Day 1 (Sunday) Day 2 (Monday) Day 3 (Tuesday) Day 4 (Wednesday) Day 5 (Thursday)
Breakfast
AM snack
Lunch
PM snack
Dinner
Evening snack
Please read the following article available in the 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.
Questions:
What are the 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
Reading and Resources
The Reading this week concerns nutrition and diseases during elder years (50 years and beyond). After the readings, you should be able to discuss and explain the nutrient needs during elder years and also be able to provide nutrient needs to elders with certain diseases and conditions. These Readings will prepare you to speak to elders with certain conditions, to provide proper nutrition and exercise with certain conditions.
Required:
Deen, D., & Hark, L. (2007). The complete guide to nutrition in primary care.  Malden, Mass: Wiley-Blackwell.
Chapter 6: “Staying Healthy in Later Life”
Mueller, P.S., Hook, C.C., & Fleming, K.C. (2004). Ethical issues in geriatrics: A guide for clinicians. Mayo Clinical Proceedings, 79, 554–562. (SEE PDF)
Additional Resources
Senior Nutrition
United States Department of Agriculture: National Agricultural Library. Older Individuals. Retrieved from https://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/older-individuals
Articles and resources concerning proper nutrition for older individuals.