Several important factors contributing to inadequate nutritional intake among older people can be cited. Poverty contributes significantly to malnutrition among older people. As health care, medication and utility costs increase, many older Americans cut back on their food budget. Many older people, especially the oldest and the poorest, have disabilities or functional impairments and are unable to shop for groceries or cook for themselves. Over 80 percent of those 65 and older suffer from chronic diseases and conditions, many of which are associated with malnutrition.
Older adults take more medications than any other age group.
Medications can cause loss of appetite, reduced taste and smell, painful swallowing, nausea and vomiting, and can affect the absorption and use of nutrients. Nearly half of the nation's low-income elders have lost all of their natural teeth. Problems with chewing and swallowing have definitely been linked to malnutrition. Programs The Administration on Aging through Titles III and VI of the Older Americans Act funds and administers the largest community nutrition services program for older Americans, the Elderly Nutrition Program. This program provides nutrition services including meals, nutrition education, and other services to mobile and homebound elders 60 years of age and older with a preference to those in greatest economic and social need.