1. Poor nutrition.

    1. Assessment of warning signs:
      1. Disease, illness, or chronic condition that changes eating habits/pattern; also emotional problems: confusion, depression, or sadness.
      2. Eating too little or too much, skipping meals, drinking more than 1-2 alcoholic beverages daily.
      3. Missing, loose, or rotten teeth or ill-fitting dentures.
      4. Spending less than 25-30 dollars per week on food.
      5. Living alone.
      6. Taking multiple medications with increased chance for side effects (change in taste, constipation, weakness, drowsiness, diarrhea, nausea).
      7. Unplanned weight loss or gain.
      8. Problems with self-care (walking, shopping, buying and preparing food).
      9. Age > 80 (frail elderly).
    2. Nursing goal: promote optimal nutritional health for the older adult.