Nutritional Needs for the Elderly
Proper nutrition is important at any age, it is one of the most essential elements to being healthy and it can dictate how well the body will function. People deal with food every day but knowing what to buy in order to maintain an adequate and balanced diet is one of the biggest concerns. As people age the body requirements change as well, “poor health and loss of independence are not inevitable consequences of aging” (Inzitari et al., 2011, p. 599). However, knowing what nutritional needs are important for this specific group age can reduce the risk of future illnesses.
Older adults are particularly vulnerable to malnutrition, but before we look at nutritional requirements of the elderly, we need to review …show more content…
Loss of sensory perception such as taste and smell as well as the loss of teeth or poor fitting dentures can make eating difficult and less pleasurable. According to Posthauer et al “almost 80% of older adult have at least 1 chronic health condition, whereas half of all older adults have 2 or more chronic conditions.” (Posthauer, Collins, Dorner, & Sloan, 2013, p. 129). For example, chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), heart failure, cancer, infections, thyroid disorders and uncontrolled diabetes can contribute to malnutrition, as well as medication interactions that can cause dry mouth or a decrease in appetite. Mental illness can result in a decrease in food intake which can contribute to social withdrawal. Depression is the most common cause of weight loss and anorexia in older …show more content…
Carbohydrates are the source of energy but since the elderly need fewer calories we need to be careful with the intake amount. According to Lewis et al “the elderly require 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of ideal body weight” (Lewis et al., 2014, p. 896) good sources of protein can be obtain from both animals and plant sources. Fiber intake helps to normalize bowel movements and it can be found mainly in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes. Individuals should take “approximately 14 g of dietary fiber per 1000 calories” (Lewis et al., 2014 p.
Proper nutrition is important at any age, it is one of the most essential elements to being healthy and it can dictate how well the body will function. People deal with food every day but knowing what to buy in order to maintain an adequate and balanced diet is one of the biggest concerns. As people age the body requirements change as well, “poor health and loss of independence are not inevitable consequences of aging” (Inzitari et al., 2011, p. 599). However, knowing what nutritional needs are important for this specific group age can reduce the risk of future illnesses.
Older adults are particularly vulnerable to malnutrition, but before we look at nutritional requirements of the elderly, we need to review …show more content…
Loss of sensory perception such as taste and smell as well as the loss of teeth or poor fitting dentures can make eating difficult and less pleasurable. According to Posthauer et al “almost 80% of older adult have at least 1 chronic health condition, whereas half of all older adults have 2 or more chronic conditions.” (Posthauer, Collins, Dorner, & Sloan, 2013, p. 129). For example, chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), heart failure, cancer, infections, thyroid disorders and uncontrolled diabetes can contribute to malnutrition, as well as medication interactions that can cause dry mouth or a decrease in appetite. Mental illness can result in a decrease in food intake which can contribute to social withdrawal. Depression is the most common cause of weight loss and anorexia in older …show more content…
Carbohydrates are the source of energy but since the elderly need fewer calories we need to be careful with the intake amount. According to Lewis et al “the elderly require 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of ideal body weight” (Lewis et al., 2014, p. 896) good sources of protein can be obtain from both animals and plant sources. Fiber intake helps to normalize bowel movements and it can be found mainly in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes. Individuals should take “approximately 14 g of dietary fiber per 1000 calories” (Lewis et al., 2014 p.