Special Considerations for Older Adults
Eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and dairy improves diet quality — as does cutting down on added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium. Support from health professionals, friends, and family can help older adults meet food group and nutrient recommendations.
Iron deficiency is very common among elderly population and contributes to anemia amongst them.
Common vitamin deficiencies among aging adults include: Calcium—important for bone density and strength, calcium is found in dark leafy greens and dairy products, as well as calcium-specific supplements. Calcium deficiency can lead to decreased bone density, lowered mobility, and falls.
Important risk nutrients include protein; omega-3 fatty acids; dietary fiber; vitamins B6, B12, and E; calcium; magnesium; and potassium. Many older adults are not getting enough of these nutrients. On the other hand, too many older adults are getting too much folate and sodium.
Dysphagia, presbyphagia, and sarcopenic dysphagia
Swallowing physiology changes with advancing age, therefore, dysphagia (swallowing difficulty) is recognized as a health problem of the elderly population.
It can weaken our immune systems making it difficult to fight off disease. Malnutrition leaves our elderly vulnerable to infection, slower recovery time, and slower wound healing. It also causes weight and muscle loss that can lead to frailty, balance issues, falls, broken bones, disability, and loss of independence.
Older adults' unique nutrition needs
Choose foods with little to no added sugar, saturated fats, and sodium. To get enough protein throughout the day and maintain muscle, try adding seafood, dairy, or fortified soy products along with beans, peas, and lentils to your meals.
The most efficient way to address malnutrition is to prevent it by providing adequate calories and protein to help meet energy needs and inhibit loss of muscle mass. An older adult's diet should include a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and foods rich in calcium.
Many seniors also experience fatigue as a side effect of certain medications or medical treatments. Or, certain lifestyle choices could be causing your aging loved one to experience fatigue. Interestingly, both a lack of physical activity and too much physical activity can lead to fatigue.
Seniors should eat plenty of citrus fruits to obtain enough vitamin C in their day. Vitamin C is known to produce antibodies, which boost immunity and help older adults fight off infections. Some examples of vitamin C rich foods are oranges, broccoli, tomatoes, bell peppers, tangerines, grapefruit, and strawberries.
Focus on abilities.
Older adults who focus on what they can do and find rewarding, rather than any decline in abilities, are happier. According to a study in The Gerontologist, accepting aging and adapting to age-related changes is vital to successful aging and well-being.
However, while most people imagine medical advancements to be the reason for this increase, the largest gain in life expectancy occurred between 1880 and 1920 due to public health improvements such as control of infectious diseases, more abundant and safer foods, cleaner water, and other nonmedical social improvements.
Malnutrition is often due to one or more of the following factors: inadequate food intake; food choices that lead to dietary deficiencies; and illness that causes increased nutrient requirements, increased nutrient loss, poor nutrient absorption, or a combination of these factors.
Aged care residents with poor nutrition, including malnutrition, are at greater risk and severity of pressure injuries, loss of bone and muscle mass/strength, frailty, reduced functional capacity and greater care needs. They are also at heightened risk for healthcare-associated infections and mortality in hospital.
Unpasteurized milk and dairy products, fried foods, high-sodium foods, and certain raw produce are among the foods to avoid or limit at any age.
Water is probably the most important essential nutrient that a person needs. A person can only survive a few days without consuming water. Even slight dehydration can cause headaches and impaired physical and mental functioning. The human body is made up of mostly water, and every cell requires water to function.