Page 205 - Petelin, Ana. 2021. Ed. Zdravje starostnikov / Health of the Elderly. Proceedings. Koper: University of Primorska Press.
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h COPD, as Mahan et al. (2011) found that the major nutritional problem recognizing the importance of nutrition counseling for the elderly with copd in primary care 203
in COPD patients is protein-energy malnutrition, which can develop with in-
creased energy and nutrient requirements due to patients‘ impaired lung func-
tion and lower appetite. Collins et al. (2013) state that disease-related malnu-
trition is a major problem in 30-60 % of COPD patients, so it is important to
identify these patients and counsel them appropriately on how to eat.
A worrying figure shows that patients in primary care are poorly in-
formed about the importance of proper nutrition in their lung disease, as our
study found that COPD patients receive very little information from prima-
ry care providers, especially if they do not report any occupations. Green and
Watson (2005) emphasize that nurses have close contact with patients and play
a key role in assessing patients‘ nutritional status and identifying malnourished
patients who need additional advice and support in planning and implement-
ing appropriate nutrition. Numerous studies suggest that targeted individual-
ized nutritional therapy for COPD patients is important in all patients, not just
malnourished patients with advanced COPD and reduced muscle mass, and
should be part of the regular rehabilitation of these patients (Sugawara, 2015).
The GP referral clinic also cares for patients with regulated COPD and
treats deterioration in the health of these patients (Škrgat et al., 2017), and
through patient medical history taking we should identify COPD risk patients
(malnourished patients and those close to it) and involve them in counseling
on the importance of adequate nutrition or refer them to a dietitian who will
help the patient to establish a diet plan and perform a nutritional assessment.
The role of graduate nurse in independent patients in need of health education
is to control the disease, which we believe includes counseling about appropri-
ate nutrition. In the family medicine reference clinic patient must be motivated
to learn about COPD, the nature of the disease, the effects of smoking, proper
breathing, proper use of medications, the effects of respiratory rehabilitation,
the expected course of the disease, and the importance of nutrition in COPD.
Patients must be strongly encouraged to eat properly and prepare appropriate
meals, and the patient‘s mental state should also be checked, as depression of-
ten develops, which affects nutritional status (Bratkovič, 2011).
The research found that the majority of COPD patients are advised by
health professionals at the primary care level about proper nutrition for their
lung disease. We believe that all COPD patients should receive at least basic ad-
vice on proper nutrition and adequate intake of nutrients, especially protein, at
the initial level of medical care. Protein found in meat, milk, and dairy prod-
ucts is a rich source of protein that is important for maintaining muscle mass
in COPD patients, and they need to consume it daily, regularly, and in suffi-
cient amounts because, as Baum et al. (2016) note, problems that accompany
patients with COPD (decreased appetite, poor taste perception, nausea) often
prevent adequate intake of nutrients, especially protein. Metabolic changes in
old age also affect the need for micronutrients, making it necessary to provide
an adequate amount of vitamins (D, B12, B6, E and C) and minerals (calcium,
in COPD patients is protein-energy malnutrition, which can develop with in-
creased energy and nutrient requirements due to patients‘ impaired lung func-
tion and lower appetite. Collins et al. (2013) state that disease-related malnu-
trition is a major problem in 30-60 % of COPD patients, so it is important to
identify these patients and counsel them appropriately on how to eat.
A worrying figure shows that patients in primary care are poorly in-
formed about the importance of proper nutrition in their lung disease, as our
study found that COPD patients receive very little information from prima-
ry care providers, especially if they do not report any occupations. Green and
Watson (2005) emphasize that nurses have close contact with patients and play
a key role in assessing patients‘ nutritional status and identifying malnourished
patients who need additional advice and support in planning and implement-
ing appropriate nutrition. Numerous studies suggest that targeted individual-
ized nutritional therapy for COPD patients is important in all patients, not just
malnourished patients with advanced COPD and reduced muscle mass, and
should be part of the regular rehabilitation of these patients (Sugawara, 2015).
The GP referral clinic also cares for patients with regulated COPD and
treats deterioration in the health of these patients (Škrgat et al., 2017), and
through patient medical history taking we should identify COPD risk patients
(malnourished patients and those close to it) and involve them in counseling
on the importance of adequate nutrition or refer them to a dietitian who will
help the patient to establish a diet plan and perform a nutritional assessment.
The role of graduate nurse in independent patients in need of health education
is to control the disease, which we believe includes counseling about appropri-
ate nutrition. In the family medicine reference clinic patient must be motivated
to learn about COPD, the nature of the disease, the effects of smoking, proper
breathing, proper use of medications, the effects of respiratory rehabilitation,
the expected course of the disease, and the importance of nutrition in COPD.
Patients must be strongly encouraged to eat properly and prepare appropriate
meals, and the patient‘s mental state should also be checked, as depression of-
ten develops, which affects nutritional status (Bratkovič, 2011).
The research found that the majority of COPD patients are advised by
health professionals at the primary care level about proper nutrition for their
lung disease. We believe that all COPD patients should receive at least basic ad-
vice on proper nutrition and adequate intake of nutrients, especially protein, at
the initial level of medical care. Protein found in meat, milk, and dairy prod-
ucts is a rich source of protein that is important for maintaining muscle mass
in COPD patients, and they need to consume it daily, regularly, and in suffi-
cient amounts because, as Baum et al. (2016) note, problems that accompany
patients with COPD (decreased appetite, poor taste perception, nausea) often
prevent adequate intake of nutrients, especially protein. Metabolic changes in
old age also affect the need for micronutrients, making it necessary to provide
an adequate amount of vitamins (D, B12, B6, E and C) and minerals (calcium,
