Nutrition for Older Adults

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Nutrition for Older Adults

• Priscilla Riedel-Cohan
• MS, RD, LD, SFNS

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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.

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Calories and Activity

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

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• 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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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• 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.

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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.

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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.

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

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• 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.

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

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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

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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.

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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

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

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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.