Module 11
The Eating Process
Geriatric Aide Curriculum
NC Division of Health Service Regulation
1
The Eating Process
Objectives
1. Break down the eating process into
its various steps.
2. Recognize common age associated
changes that can affect the eating
process.
3. Recognize the effects of selected
diseases and health problems on
nutrition and hydration.
2
The Eating Process
Objectives
4. Relate person-centered care and
the eating process.
5. Relate common cultural practices to
the nutrition practices in various
settings.
6. Describe different types of adaptive
equipment that would assist a
resident in the eating process.
3
The Eating Process
Objectives
7. Recognize common eating
problems of a resident who is
cognitively impaired.
8. Demonstrate how to assist the
resident who is cognitively impaired
with eating.
4
The Eating Process
Objectives
9. Recognize when a resident is
experiencing swallowing problems.
10. Demonstrate how to assist the
resident who is experiencing
swallowing problems with eating.
11. Explain the role of the nurse aide in
the resident’s eating process.
5
The Eating Process
• Before assisting a person with dining,
the nurse aide needs to know the
type and amount of assistance the
person needs.
• Eating, drinking and digesting are
complicated processes.
• Eating and drinking involve skillful
coordination of thinking and doing.
6
Eating and Drinking
• Sensory skills and internal
awareness
• Thinking skills
• Pain management
• Gross motor skills (large
movements)
• Fine motor hand skills
(small movements)
7
Eating and Drinking
(continued)
•
•
•
•
Oral motor control
Intact mouth structures
GI tract function
Kidney/bladder
function
• Psychological wellbeing
8
The Eating Process
9
The Eating Process and Aging
• Sensory skills and
internal awareness
• Thinking skills
• Pain management
• Gross motor skills (large
movements)
• Fine motor hand skills
(small movements)
10
The Eating Process and Aging
(continued)
• Oral motor control
• Intact mouth
structures
• GI tract function
• Kidney/bladder
function
11
Effects of Disease on Eating
• Sensory skills and
internal awareness
• Thinking skills
• Pain management
• Gross motor skills (large
movements)
• Fine motor hand skills
(small movements)
• Oral motor control
12
Effects of Disease on Eating
•
•
•
•
•
•
(continued)
Intact mouth structures
GI tract function
Kidney/bladder function
Psychological well-being
Increased nutritional
needs
Medications
13
Individual Preferences
14
Person-centered Eating
• Respond to each person’s spirit.
• All people are entitled to make their
own decisions about their lives.
• Speak up for the personal needs and
desires of each person.
• Appreciate and honor each person’s
lifelong pattern by responding to each
person’s preferences and needs.
15
Culture and Nutrition
Culture has a strong influence on
individual preferences
16
Adaptive Equipment
• Improves ability and independence of
eating and drinking.
• Eating devices include dishes,
utensils, and non-slip materials.
• Nurse aides report the eating
problems to the team to be
addressed.
• Nurse aides need to know what
equipment is available and how to
use it.
17
Assisting the Cognitively
Impaired with Eating
• 3 types of helping
–Visual or sight related cues: what
the person SEES
–Auditory or verbal cues: what the
person HEARS
–Tactile or touch cues: what the
person FEELS
18
Which Type Of Help To Use
• Think about the person’s abilities and
limitations.
• Then think about the problem, what
the difficulty is.
• Next match the type of help to the
situation (types of help: seeing,
hearing, touching).
19
Common Problems And Ways
To Help
• Task is too complicated -break down
the task
• Trouble with initiation - help get
started
• Too much going on - reduce
distractions
• Not eating enough - Monitor for
finishing too soon
• Share what worked with the team
20
Swallowing
• Some common conditions that lead to
swallowing problems are:
–Stroke, Parkinson’s disease,
Alzheimer’s disease can lead to
trouble coordinating muscles
–Obstructive swallowing problems
with cancer, stricture (narrowing of
esophagus) can lead to a blockage
of the esophagus
21
Assisting Individuals with
Swallowing Problems
 Using good helping skills can help
prevent pneumonia.
• Observe for signs of problems with
swallowing
• Report changes in swallowing to the
nurse or healthcare team
• Provide care that’s helpful to each
individual
22
Role of Nurse Aide in Assisting
the Cognitively Impaired
Individual with Eating
• Discover how the individual responds
to help
• Share with co-workers and
supervisor what helped and what did
not help
• Use the type of help that works for
the individual
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