Nurse consultant Julie Wilcox, BSN, RN, CRNI, of Georgia Pharmacy Company based in Atlanta, Georgia, sees patients who reside in long term care facilities and range in age from 65 to 95 years old. During the past two years, she has been recommending DecubAmine® protein supplement for her patients who were receiving wound care therapy. DecubAmine®
is a whey protein concentrate that was introduced to the long term care market in February of
2006. It is different than other protein powders in that L-Arginine, L-Glutamine and essential fatty acids have been added to the formula in order to provide all the necessary elements required for complete cell development. I’ve really seen it be very helpful I’ve really seen it very helpful…for helping to heal wounds; particularly with patients with low serum albumins and pre-albumins.” Ms. Wilcox said.
Recently, Ms. Wilcox’s experience became more personal in nature when her father-in-law, who had just turned 88 years old, fell and broke his pelvis. This reduced his level of daily activity and he became bed bound for about two and a half weeks during which time he developed a stage 3 coccyx decubitis ulcer. His protein intake was low, as is the case with many elderly adults (especially those in long term care settings). Various reasons for low protein intake by those residing in long term care facilities can include lack of appetite, improper diet, dysphagia, or simply a dislike of the foods offered, which can all contribute to a general state of poor nutrition.
The facility he was admitted to was not familiar with DecubAmine® and during a period of about four months his wound care therapy included other protein products that provided very little effect. The facility tried whey protein and collagen protein supplements, but the wound would not heal. His weight-loss brought him down to 97 pounds and he began to lose his desire to continue living. “I demanded that they give him DecubAmine® and Decubi-Vite®”, Ms. Wilcox stated, “and the wound
closed up within a matter of about five weeks. He now weighs about 120
pounds and has a much better outlook toward life. Overall I felt, in his case, the other protein supplements were not being absorbed properly.”
that they give him DecubAmine® and Decubi-Vite®”, Ms. Wilcox stated, “and the wound
closed up within a matter of about five weeks. He now weighs about 120
pounds and has a much better outlook toward life. Overall I felt, in his case, the other protein supplements were not being absorbed properly.”