Geriatric Nutrition Case StudyAugust 2026
Geriatric Nutrition Management in Chronic Bronchitis and Pacemaker Care – A Clinical Case Study
Dietitian Suchana · Reviewed by Clinical Nutrition Team
What changedAfter 8 Weeks
- Weight increased from 38 kg to 40 kg
- Appetite improved significantly
- Better meal tolerance reported
- Energy levels increased
Patient Profile
- Name
- Malati Dam
- Age / Gender
- 82 years / Female
- Diagnosis
- Chronic Bronchitis with Cardiac Pacemaker, Undernutrition, Anemia & Vitamin D Deficiency
Medical Background
Mrs. Malati Dam, an 82-year-old female, was referred for nutrition counseling due to chronic cough, breathlessness, poor appetite, and progressive weight loss. She had a history of Chronic Bronchitis and had been living with a cardiac pacemaker for the past three years. Her daughter reported that she became tired while eating and was consuming very small portions, leading to weakness, frailty, and undernutrition.
Key Challenges
- Chronic Bronchitis with breathlessness
- Underweight and frailty (BMI 16.9 kg/m²)
- Poor appetite and reduced food intake
- Anemia and Vitamin D deficiency
- Fatigue while eating small portions
- Increased risk of muscle loss and infections
She was referred to DytoClick for structured therapeutic nutrition support and geriatric nutritional care.
Clinical Data
Clinical Findings
| Parameter | Value | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 38 kg | Underweight |
| Height | 150 cm | Normal |
| BMI | 16.9 kg/m² | Severely Underweight / Frailty |
| Hemoglobin | 10.2 g/dL | Low (Anemia) |
| Albumin | 3.0 g/dL | Low (Undernutrition) |
| Vitamin D | 18 ng/mL | Deficient |
Progress After 8 Weeks
| Parameter | After 8 Weeks | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 40 kg (+2 kg) | Improved |
| Appetite | Improved significantly | Improved |
| Meal Tolerance | Better tolerance, reduced fatigue | Improved |
| Energy Levels | Increased | Improved |
| Nutritional Status | Enhanced functional capacity | Improved |
Nutritional Assessment
- Energy requirement: 1,500–1,700 kcal/day
- Protein requirement: 55–65 g/day
- Small, frequent, soft and easy-to-chew meals
- Oral nutrition supplements between meals
- Targeted support for anemia and Vitamin D deficiency
Diet Protocol
- 1,500–1,700 kcal/day calorie target
- 55–65 g/day protein target
- Small, frequent meals
- Soft and easy-to-chew foods
- Included energy-dense foods such as paneer, eggs, yogurt, and nut pastes
- Fortified meals with milk powder and healthy fats
- Added oral nutrition supplements between meals
- Addressed anemia and Vitamin D deficiency through targeted nutrition support
- Encouraged practical meal timing to reduce fatigue during eating
Dietary Objectives
Restore nutritional status and weight
Provide high-calorie, protein-dense soft meals to reverse progressive weight loss, undernutrition, and frailty.
Address anemia and Vitamin D deficiency
Incorporate targeted micronutrient support to improve hemoglobin, bone health, and energy levels.
Reduce fatigue during eating
Structure small, frequent, energy-dense meals to ensure adequate intake without exhausting the patient during mealtime.
Prevent muscle loss and infections
Ensure adequate high-quality protein and oral nutritional supplements to preserve lean muscle mass and boost immunity.
Nutrition Intervention
Geriatric Calorie & Protein Support Plan
Designed a 1,500–1,700 kcal/day and 55–65 g/day protein diet using small, frequent, soft, easy-to-chew meals.
Energy-Dense Food Fortification
Included paneer, eggs, yogurt, and nut pastes, and fortified meals with milk powder and healthy fats to maximize nutrition in small portions.
Oral Nutrition & Micronutrient Supplementation
Added oral nutrition supplements between meals and targeted nutrition support for anemia and Vitamin D deficiency.
Fatigue Management & Caregiver Guidance
Adjusted meal timing to prevent mealtime exhaustion and provided caregivers with practical home-based nutrition strategies.
How Dytoclick Helped
- Personalized Plans
- Creating personalized calorie- and protein-rich meal plans
- Nutrient & Weight Tracking
- Tracking energy intake, protein adequacy, and weight trends
- Geriatric Monitoring
- Monitoring nutritional progress in a high-risk elderly patient
- Adaptive Care
- Adjusting meal plans according to appetite and tolerance
- Caregiver Guidance
- Supporting caregivers with simple and practical home-based nutrition strategies
Clinical Outcomes (After 8 Weeks)
- Weight increased from 38 kg to 40 kg
- Appetite improved significantly
- Better meal tolerance reported
- Energy levels increased
- Overall nutritional status and functional capacity improved
Final Thoughts
This case highlights how targeted nutrition therapy can help improve nutritional status, strength, and quality of life in elderly patients with chronic respiratory conditions. DytoClick supports dietitians with structured, data-driven nutrition care for effective therapeutic meal planning, continuous monitoring, and improved patient outcomes.