Single or widowed elderly men are a unique group. They develop protein calorie malnutrition, quickly, which causes edema, itching, eczema, fatigue, muscle weakness and tissue wasting. All of these promote slow wound healing, impaired immune response and pre-mature death. Due to decreased glucose tolerance, the elderly patient will develop either a transient temporary hypo OR hyperglycemia. If you take their fat too low, they won't absorb the fat-soluble vitamins well.
Minerals are of significance, as well.
Mineral requirements may now be too high. Since the elderly patient is developing glucose intolerance, increase their daily chromium intake. If the patient is on diuretics, increase magnesium and potassium. Vitamin A levels are normal in the elderly. The elderly are much more sensitive to vitamin A than they were in their youth, therefore, watch their intake.