| Theme |
Care of Patients with Chronic Renal Failure under Malnutrition -- The Teamplay of Physicians, Nutritionists, and Nurses |
| Title |
Nutritional management for a patient with dementia |
| Author |
You Shishido |
Department of Internal Medicine, Midorinosato Clinic |
| Author |
Yuka Suzuki |
Department of Clinical Nutrition, Midorinosato Clinic |
| Author |
Kumiko Ukai |
Department of Clinical Nutrition, Midorinosato Clinic |
| Author |
Kana Takahashi |
MSW, Midorinosato Clinic |
| [ Summary ] |
For the long-term treatment of HD out patients with dementia who require special care, both nutritional management and support by family members are essential issues. This is a report on an 82 yearold female patient who needed a great deal of help with daily activities due to dysphagia and/or malnutrition. We improved the nutritional status of the patient by providing specially prepared meals, prescribing enteral feeding solutions, and intradialytic parenteral nutrition. These efforts were supported by devoted family members and medical staff members. The cooperation of doctors, dieticians, nurses, therapists, clinical engineers, social workers, and family members brought about the long-term survival of the patient. However, it is still difficult to avoid malnutrition completely, because of the catabolic effects of infection and dialysis treatment. Therefore, the nutritional management of dialysis patients is of great importance. |