Reflection On Feeding Elderly Clients
Reflection On Feeding Elderly Clients
Reflection On Feeding Elderly Clients
2. What did you like about the experience of being fed? What did you like about feeding
someone else?
What I like about the experience of being fed was that I was able to relate with the
patients. I now understand how they felt every time a nurse will feed them. The role that
I must do to help them lessen their frustrations and anxieties.
What I like about feeding someone else was that I felt like I’m being helpful in
assisting them in their needs. I am in control on how will I’m going to feed that person.
3. What did you dislike about the experience of being fed and feeding?
What I dislike about the experience of being fed was that I lost my sense of
autonomy. Like that of a toddler, I want to be in control on how I will be consuming my
food. It can also be quite uncomfortable because I felt that I am useless as a person
because I became dependent on others.
Feeding someone else can be challenging. I disliked it because I felt that I have to
be responsible with the person I am feeding with. I felt uneasy because I might feed him
in an improper way that might cause discomfort on his part.
4. What were the effects of being blindfolded while you were fed?
When I was blindfolded while being fed, I felt anxious. As an effect, my favorite
food became less palatable and unpleasant. I ate less than my normal food intake but
feeling just a full.
I guess the old expression that, “Your eyes are bigger than your stomach”, might
be true because if a food looks appealing, you could eat more of it than the food you have
not seen. I believe that all five senses are involved in our perception of taste and taking
any one of them, may result in enjoying food less.
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5. Did you apply any principles of medical asepsis or body mechanics during the feeding
experience? If yes, which one?
6. What have you learned that will be helpful in the agency (nursing home)?
The feeding experienced helped me understand the vital role of nurses in feeding
older adults. It was not a simple physical or mechanical act as it requires proper training
and holistic care.
I learned that every client need to be assessed for us to learn their medical history
so that we can provide not only their nutritional needs but also assist and improve their
physical, emotional, social and spiritual well-being.
Communication skills are also imperative in assisting someone to feed. It lessens
one’s anxiety and promote trust and comfort. It is also a good way in exploring a person’s
limitations and other issues like their preferred foods and ethnic food choices, if any.
Special attention should also be given in food handling. It must be safe, clean and
appropriate for a particular individual since every client have different needs. We must
also secure a safe and clean environment. Handwashing should likewise be promoted
and encouraged.