The spouse of a homebound elderly patient voices a concern to the visiting nurse,"I'm having a hard time getting the patient to eat a balanced diet.All the patient wants to eat are sweets." What is the best explanation the nurse can give to the spouse?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A small decrease in the number of taste cells occurs with aging,beginning around age 60.Reduced sour,salty,and bitter taste discrimination is common.The ability to detect sweet tastes seems to remain intact.Promote sense of taste through good oral hygiene,serving well-seasoned and differently textured foods,chewing food thoroughly,and avoiding blending or mixing foods.Enhance the sense of smell by removing unpleasant odors from the environment and introducing pleasant smells such as mild room deodorizers or fragrant flowers.

The Spouse of a Homebound Elderly Patient Voices a Concern