Its purpose is to identify individuals who are at risk for nutritional problems or who have unrecognized malnutrition. Screening may be a basis for effective intervention. In the past two decades, major efforts have been undertaken to alter nutrition practices and patterns of Americans with the goal of maintaining health and preventing illness and disease. As we approach the 21st century, major demographic shifts demand an emphasis on efforts to keep older people healthy, prevent illness, and to extend functional competence.
Nutrition takes on greater importance in the context of chronic illness.
Some older persons are at increased risk because of multiple drug therapies, dental problems, economic hardship, and reduced social contacts. These problems arise from many varied environmental, social, and economic factors that are compounded by physiological changes of aging. The ANA supports screening initiatives to identify nutritional risk and malnutrition. Incorporating nutrition screening in clinical care of older persons is critical to the prevention of disease and the promotion of health. Older persons must be informed consumers and the American Nurses Association supports educational programs focusing on nutrition and the older adult.