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Nutrition for Older Adults

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Title: Nutrition for Older Adults


1
Nutrition for Older Adults
  • Priscilla Riedel-Cohan
  • MS, RD, LD, SFNS

2
Lesson Objectives
  • Compare the calorie and nutrient needs of the
    individual in the later years of the life cycle
    to that of earlier years.
  • Discuss disease conditions and obstacles to
    adequacy that may be experienced by the older
    adult.

3
Calories and Activity
  • Energy needs decrease as people age.
  • This is due to
  • Decreased activity level
  • Decreased metabolic rate
  • Decreased muscle tone

4
  • It is important to ensure that older adults do
    not suffer from the dwindles. This is
    described as
  • Decreased physical ability to function
  • Diminished mental function
  • Malnutrition
  • Social withdrawal
  • Weight loss

5
Protein and the Older Adult
  • Protein needs remain the same in older adulthood
    as they did when the adult was younger.
  • The RDA for protein is 0.8 grams per kilogram
    (kg) of body weight.
  • Alternate protein sources may be necessary
    because traditional protein foods may be hard to
    chew.
  • Soft protein foods may be best.

6
Carbohydrate, Fiber, and the Older Adult
  • Carbohydrates remain important for nourishing the
    brain.
  • Fiber is necessary to help alleviate the
    constipation that some older adults experience in
    later life.
  • High fiber foods may include fresh fruits and
    vegetables as well as high fiber grain products.
  • It is important to make sure foods can be chewed
    and swallowed, so fiber is often offered in the
    form of over-the-counter products like Metamucil.

7
Fat, Arthritis, and the Older Adult
  • Good sources of essential fatty acids in the diet
    continue to be important.
  • Food sources of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
    include nuts, legumes, and coldwater fish like
    salmon.

8
  • Saturated fat and trans fatty acids may
    contribute to heart disease.
  • A low fat diet may help alleviate the symptoms of
    rheumatoid arthritis, but it does not address the
    symptoms of osteoarthritis.
  • Osteoarthritis may be addressed with weight loss.

9
Vitamins and the Older Adult
  • Vitamin A absorption generally improves in later
    life.
  • Vitamin D synthesis declines and may contribute
    to osteoporosis. This is particularly important
    to address with the elderly who are confined to
    the indoors.
  • Vitamin B12 deficiency is likely with the
    decrease in production of intrinsic factor
    necessary for its absorption or when meats are
    diminished in the diet due to chewing or
    swallowing difficulties.

10
Water, Minerals, and the Older Adult
  • Dehydration is a major concern for the older
    adult.
  • It is believed that some dementia or loss of
    mental function in the elderly may be due to
    chronic dehydration.
  • The sense of thirst is diminished in the elderly.
  • They are more at risk as a result to become
    dehydrated.
  • The elderly must make a conscious effort to drink
    fluids often.

11
  • A high fiber diet requires the older adult to
    also consume more water.

12
  • Iron status generally improves later in life.
  • Zinc deficiency is somewhat common in the elderly
    primarily because of drug/nutrient interactions.
    This blunts the sense of taste.
  • Calcium absorption declines with age.
    Osteoporosis is common in this population.
  • Lactose-free milk can offer an alternative for
    those individuals who complain of discomfort from
    drinking milk.

13
  • A low-dose vitamin/mineral supplement may be
    helpful to all older adults to ensure nutrient
    needs are met.

14
Nutrition and Longevity
  • There are 6 factors that have been found to
    influence the physiological age of an individual.
  • Of those, 3 are nutrition-related
  • Moderation of alcohol use
  • Regular, nutritious meals
  • Weight control

15
Nutrition and Alzheimers Disease
  • There are weak links between the onset of
    Alzheimers disease and nutrition.
  • Research is on-going.
  • Regular meals and wise food choices continue to
    be at the forefront of good health for people
    with Alzheimers disease.

16
Food Choices of Older Adults
  • Many factors may influence the food choices of
    the older adult.
  • In particular, older adults experience obstacles
    to an adequate dietary intake.
  • Tooth loss
  • Inability to chew or swallow
  • Marital or social status
  • Disposable income
  • Multiple medications

17
  • Social services programs available to the elderly
    include
  • Social Security
  • Medicare
  • Food Stamps
  • Meals on Wheels
  • Child and Adult Care Food Program

18
In Summary
  • The older adult experiences many changes in their
    nutritional needs at this stage of the life
    cycle.
  • Their nutritional status may be compromised by
    disease or other obstacles to adequacy.
  • Caregivers play a major role in maintaining the
    nutritional health of the older adult.
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