Gastrointestinal problem in older adults
Read Case Study (Rosa) down below. What do you think is going on with Rosa? How might you help Rosa improve her symptoms by making specific changes in her diet? Rosa states that she is “afraid to eat”. What are some ideas you have to encourage Rosa to eat an adequate diet?
Rosa is a 75-year-old woman with complaints of chronic abdominal pain after
meals for the past two years. She started a PPI medication 2 weeks ago, and
symptoms have improved greatly, but she did experience breakthrough
symptoms once after a meal that was prepared with olive oil rather than being
boiled, which is her usual method of preparation. Now, she is somewhat afraid to
eat. A diet history revealed that Rosa consumes three home-cooked meals per day,
at 8:00 am, 12:00 noon, and 8:00 pm. She typically feels fine after breakfast but is
symptomatic after lunch and dinner with epigastric discomfort and belching. Meals
are hearty and filling, so she does not feel the need to snack in between meals.
Bedtime is 11:00 pm.
Rosas medical history is significant for osteoporosis. She takes 1000 IU of vitamin D
daily.