Reference no: EM133483018

AM is a 78-year-old female with diagnoses of hypertension, glaucoma, osteoporosis, dementia, and history of surgery for hip fractures after a recent fall. She was transferred to a nursing home for rehabilitation after hospitalization for the hip surgery. She is taking multiple prescription medications for her health conditions. The physician ordered labs recently and just added a new prescription for vitamin B12 due to vitamin B12 deficiency. As the nurse in charge of AM's care, you called AM's daughter to report a significant weight loss of 8 lbs. since her admission a month ago as well as the new supplement order for vitamin B12. AM's medical record showed she has poor dentition and average food intake of 50% of her food. AM's daughter stated AM used to eat everything and was never picky when younger. She also said she plans to bring some supplements that were said to "boost energy" when she visits next week.

1. Describe to AM's daughter some of the physiological changes of normal aging and how they relate to nutrition

2. Describe to AM's daughter at least 4 factors that may contributed to AM's reduced food intake and weight loss.

3. Explain to AM's daughter why low vitamin B12 status can be common among older adults even when they consume more than the DRI.

4. Explain to AM's daughter why AM's physician should be notified before AM takes any additional supplements.