Excerpts from "Special Nutritional Considerations with Mature Adults" - Allison Chin, RD
As we age our bodies undergo normal metabolic and physiological changes. Although each person has different considerations, common problems include diminished taste and smell, absorption/bowel function issues, hormonal changes and perhaps the onset of various chronic pain or disease.
To make matters more challenging, our metabolism slows, bones and skin thin, and fat migrates away from our arms and legs to our abdominal area which creates more of a challenge for our hearts.
The first step in maintaining or improving nutritional status for older adults is to get a clear picture of their current nutritional status through various assessment techniques. These include but are not limited to diet history, tested values such as blood sugar, cholesterol and kidney function, activity levels, medications that are routinely taken, dentition, and ability to feed themselves. If the older adult is living at home, it's important to consider if they are on a fixed income, where or if they are able to grocery shop, or if they rely on others for their meals. It's important to assess if they are consuming foods from all food groups and consider what kind of supplements they may be taking.
Studies reveal that patients 75 years or older had poorer nutritional status that those younger than 75 years of age. If we can encourage a well balanced nutritional intake early, we might also be able to deter devastating chronic conditions later in life. Often poor nutritional intake may only exacerbate health conditions which may be considered otherwise untreatable.
Please take a look at Fenway Medical's Nutritional section to find all of today's top brands of supplements for your parent or loved one. |
