Nutrition in Older Adults

Objectives

1.      Learn why nutrition is important in this population

2.      Learn what causes malnutrition in older adults

3.      Learn signs of nutrient deficiencies

4.      Learn methods of nutritional assessments for older adults

5.      Learn nutritional concerns for older adults

**Why Nutrition is Important**

* According to the World Health Organization (WHO) older adults are vulnerable to malnutrition. There are many practical problems that older adults may encounter, hindering them from obtaining adequate nutrition. The nutritional needs of older adults

are different than other patient populations. While some needs for nutrients will decrease throughout the life span others will increase with age. There are many disease processes that affect older adults that are linked with malnutrition. Malnutrition can be one of the contributing factors for decline in health status.1
**Causes of Malnutrition in Older Adults**

* The National Council on Aging states that there are many aspects relating to physical, social and psychological issues that could cause malnourishment in older adults. There could also be pathologic reason for malnutrition such as difficulty with dentition or dysphagia.2 An older adult may be taking medications that prevent the body from properly absorbing the nutrients they need, they may not be able to go to the grocery store on their own anymore and are unable to buy food, or they may be suffering from depression that is leading to a loss of appetite.3

**Signs of Nutrient Deficiencies or Malnutrition**

* One clinically important aspect that one needs to keep an eye on is overall body weight. The clinically important amount of unintended weight loss is 5% of usual body weight in 6-12 months.4

* The National Council on Aging states that other signs may include, loss of appetite, inability to eat or only eat small amounts, feeling weak and tired, or fluid accumulation.2

**Methods of Nutritional Assessments for Older Adults**

* Subjective global assessment
* Mini Nutritional Assessment

**Nutrition Concerns for Older Adults**

* Try adding flavors to food with herbs and spices to avoid using excess salt on food
* Drink 3 cups of low-fat milk throughout the day
* Make sure to ingest nutrients needed such as, potassium, calcium vitamin D, vitamin B complex and minerals.5
* Make sure to obtain plenty of fiber6

**Additional resources**

* Myplate: http://hnrca.tufts.edu/myplate/files/MPFOA2015.pdf
* https://www.nutritioncare.org/maw/
* https://nutritionandaging.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/DetermineNutritionChecklist.pdf
* https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/know-your-food-groups#grains
* https://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm267499.htm

References

1. Nutrition for older persons. World Health Organization. http://www.who.int/nutrition/topics/ageing/en/index1.html. Published October 27, 2014. Accessed July 9, 2018.
2. Common Signs of Malnutrition That Are Often Overlooked - Healthy Aging Blog. NCOA.https://www.ncoa.org/blog/common-signs-malnutrition-often-overlooked/. Accessed July 9, 2018.
3. Evans C. Malnutrition in the Elderly: A Multifactorial Failure to Thrive. *The Permanente Journal*. 2005;9(3). doi:10.7812/tpp/05-056.
4. Vanderschueren S, Geens E, Knockaert D, Bobbaers H. The diagnostic spectrum of unintentional weight loss. Eur J Intern Med. 2005;16: 160-164.
5. Older Adults. Choose MyPlate. https://www.choosemyplate.gov/older-adults. Published August 9, 2017. Accessed July 11, 2018.
6. Nutrition. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/strategies-guidelines/index.html. Published March

5, 2018. Accessed July 11, 2018.