Question

Denise loves her new job as Lakeside Assisted Living dietician. She enjoys getting to know the residents and learning about their dietary likes and dislikes in order to design a meal plan for them. She must keep in mind disease process, cognition, and physical limitations as well. Mrs. Washington has been living at Lakeside Assisted Living for three years. She has a BMI of 34, a history of stroke, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and has recently broken her lower denture. Mrs. Washington has several medical conditions that Denise will have to address when she makes her dietary recommendations.

What other physical restrictions should she consider?

Answer 1

As a dietitian, Denise must create a specialized nutrition plan for Mrs. Washington that takes into account her high BMI, diabetes, hypertension, stroke history, and the absence of her lower denture. The plan should feature soft, low-glycemic, low-salt foods to manage her conditions, and encourage healthy eating habits and possibly increased physical activity to promote weight loss.

Step-by-step explanation:

Denise, as a dietitian at Lakeside Assisted Living, must consider additional physical restrictions for Mrs. Washington, who has a body mass index (BMI) of 34, a history of stroke, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and a broken lower denture. Considering these factors, Denise would need to create a nutrition plan that incorporates soft, easy-to-chew foods that would not require a denture, while also managing Mrs. Washington's diabetic conditions by regulating blood sugar levels through low-glycemic carbohydrates.

The meal plan should also be low in salt to manage hypertension, and rich in nutrients that may aid in stroke recovery and prevent further complications. Since obesity increases the risk for many diseases including diabetes and heart disease, the plan must aim to gradually reduce Mrs. Washington's weight through balanced, healthy eating habits and possibly increased physical activity as deemed appropriate, considering her mobility limitations after the stroke.

To achieve this, Denise needs to review evidence-based dietary trends that focus on whole foods and an active lifestyle within the resident's limitations. Lifestyle modifications due to aging, the onset of type 2 diabetes, and the recent dental issue will all be key factors in developing a suitable dietary regimen for Mrs. Washington.