Malnutrition in Palliative Care
Malnutrition is a common concern for individuals living with serious illnesses such as advanced cancer, heart disease, neurological disorders, and other chronic conditions. Reduced appetite, difficulty swallowing, nausea, fatigue, and changes in metabolism can all contribute to poor nutrition and unintended weight loss.
At Angels Grace Hospice & Palliative Care, the focus is to recognize and help manage symptoms with the collaboration of primary team, improve comfort, and help patients maintain the highest possible quality of life. Every care plan is individualized, recognizing that nutritional needs and treatment goals differ from one person to another.
The Angels Grace Hospice & Palliative Care APNs work together in collaboration with primary care teams to address underlying causes. By managing pain, nausea, dry mouth, swallowing difficulties, constipation, and other symptoms that interfere with eating, the team helps patients enjoy meals more comfortably.
Just as importantly, families receive education and compassionate guidance to understand that changes in appetite are often a natural part of serious illness, allowing them to focus on comfort and quality of life rather than the quantity of food consumed.
Mom’s Meals
To further support patients and caregivers, Angels Grace Hospice & Palliative Care offers Mom’s Meals® at no cost for qualifying palliative care patients. Through the generosity of Angels for Hospice Charities, these home-delivered meals are provided as a gift to patients and their families during a difficult time. Patients can choose from a variety of delicious, ready-to-heat meals and specialized menus designed to accommodate dietary preferences and health conditions, including diabetes, heart health, renal disease, gluten-free, and more. This program helps ease the burden of grocery shopping and meal preparation, allowing caregivers to spend more meaningful time with their loved one instead of preparing meals.
Palliative care for malnutrition is about much more than increasing calorie intake –– it’s about supporting the whole person. Through expert symptom management, personalized nutritional support, emotional and spiritual care, caregiver education, and resources such as Mom’s Meals, Angels Grace Hospice & Palliative Care helps patients live with greater comfort, dignity, and peace. Whether care is provided at home, in an assisted living community, or in a skilled nursing facility, the Angels Grace team remains committed to helping patients and families navigate every stage of serious illness with compassion and expertise.
Please get in touch with any questions.