Malnutrition is harmful to older people. It is the prelude to several age-related diseases, as well as the breakdown of several bodily functions. If the senior who is recuperating at home or at a nursing home in Oxnard, California is unable to eat on their own, then the next best option is enteral feeding.
Enteral feeding allows the administration of nutrients straight to a person’s gastrointestinal tract. It is less invasive, more cost-effective, and has a lower risk of infection. When you choose enteral feeding as part of a senior’s healthcare in California, there are certain guidelines to pay attention to. They are as follows:
- Always practice good hand washing techniques when preparing the senior’s enteral feeds. Wear gloves to avoid contaminating the feeding materials.
- Verify that the enteral tubing set is connected to the formula container filled with feeds that are correctly formulated according to the senior’s order.
- When feeding, elevate the senior’s head to 30 degrees. This will mitigate the aspiration of gastric content as well as reduce the risk of reflux.
Conejo Valley Congregate Healthcare, Inc. believes that proper nutrition is a must for seniors, whether they are in their homes or at assisted living facilities, is a must. Talk to us if you need help with enteral feeding and nutrition care.