The purpose of this study is to investigate the diets for elderly patients on regular hemodialysis treatment by means of the survey on their preferences and nutrient intake. We prepared new menus for them based on the findings of this study.
1) Elder people tend to prefer traditional Japanese dishes to which they are accustomed, and tend to avoid rich foods because of physiological reasons.
2) The actual energy and nutrient intakes for elderly patients were 1, 480kcal for energy and 51g for protein average for a week while those of the regular diets offered to dialytic patients were 2, 080kcal for energy and 64g for protein.
3) The standard energy recommended for dialytic patients of 2, 000kcal is quite high compared to the intake of the healthy elderly people living in the same prefecture of the recommended values for those over 60. The protein intake standard for the dialytic patients in this hospital (60g) is substantially the same as that for the healthy elderly people of this prefecture as well as that for the recommended value for those over 60.
4) It was decided that the energy for the standard diet for the elderly patients on dialysis should be 1, 600kcal, 400kcal less than that for the regular dialytic patients. The protein content was set at 60g, the same as the regular dialytic patients.
5) The menu for the elderly dialytic patients are to be prepared with special care given to the following points; (1) Traditional Japanese dishes will be served. (2) Produces of the season will be served and the local cuisinary techniques will be employed. (3) Oils and sugar will not be used more than necessary. (4) Foodstuffs will be cooked to a soft consistency.
6) Advantages of such special menus are; (1) Well balanced intake of different food groups, energy and protein. (2) Menus based on the traditional meals would offer pleasure and satisfaction of meals to the patients.
7) Decrease by 400kcal of meals offered to senior patients on dialysis did not result in aggravation of anemia, hyperpotassemia and hypernitremia among patients.
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