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Learn about the link between nutrition and health among the aging.
We all know about the
correlation between diet and health. For the elderly, a nutritious diet is
essential to maintaining health and promoting longevity. A proper diet keeps aging muscles, bones,
organs and other body parts in good working order for the long haul. Getting
the necessary vitamins and minerals from healthy food boosts immunity and
fights off illness-causing toxins.
Beyond reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke and high blood
pressure, eating a proper diet also fights against type -2 diabetes, bone loss,
anemia, cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. Yet studies show most elderly don’t eat
a nutritious diet. Test your
understanding of diet and nutrition for the aging by taking this quiz and see
if you know the essentials of a healthy diet for a healthy senior.
1) The average person puts on 10 to 20 pounds
from 45 to 65. This is_____?
A.
quite
normal. We need to expect body changes
as we age.
B. to be avoided. A person’s recommended weight should remain the same throughout the adult years.
C. caused
by aging, not by inactivity or overeating.
D. not that common. Most people don’t put on weight as they age.
ANSWER: B In fact,
dramatic changes in weight can lead to negative health issues. Maintaining a
proper weight through a lifestyle of health diet and exercise, even if started
later in life, contributes to longevity and a better quality of life.
2) Being notably underweight _____.
A. is a sign of possible health problems. B. is wonderful! Don’t we all want to shed a few pounds? C. can lead to fatigue, cognitive confusion and depression. D. both A and C.
ANSWER: D Significant lose of
weight is a red flag to many health concerns.
Many of today’s elderly suffer from malnutrition from not eating enough
food or getting the proper nutrients from the food they consume. Poor diet
increases risk of falls, mental confusion and osteoporosis.
3) Elderly get all their nutrients or vitamins
and minerals from the food they eat.
A. true
B. false
ANSWER: B In fact, the aging are
less able to absorb some nutrients from their diet and may need to take vitamin
supplements. For example, after 50, the stomach produces
less gastric acid making it difficult to absorb vitamin B-12 from food, which
is necessary to keep blood and nerves vital.
Another important nutrient combination is calcium and vitamin D. Calcium is needed for maintaining bone
strength, but cannot be absorbed without vitamin D. With age, the body is less
able to synthesize vitamin D on its own and so supplements become necessary.
4) Elderly with urinary incontinence should _____.
A.
cut
back on the amount of water they drink each day. We don’t want
to risk any embarrassing
accidents.
B. supplement
with coffee or soft drinks.
C. drink
eight 8 oz. glasses of water daily.
D.
not
worry about drinking water unless they feel thirsty.
ANSWER: C Incontinence can be embarrassing, but should not stop
an elder from drinking enough water.
Getting enough fluids can be an issue for the aging because they do not
always realize when their body is thirsty.
Usually drinking eight eight-ounce glasses of fluids per day is enough
but if in doubt, check the urine color.
Pale yellow urine is best. Bright
or dark yellow means you need to drink more liquids.
5) Elderly are less
active and so should consume fewer calories to avoid
putting on weight.
A.
True
B.
False
ANSWER: B For the majority of elderly, diet isn’t about
losing weight anymore; it’s about eating healthy meals. Eating a balanced diet is more important than
counting calories, but for those who count this is a good guideline.
Women
over 50: not physically active = 1,600
calories a day
some physical activity = 1,800 calories a
day
very physically active = 2,000 calories a
day
Men
over 50: not physically active = 2,000 calories a
day
some physical activity = 2,400 calories a
day
very physically active = 2,800 calories a
day
6) Elderly often lose interest in food due to _____.
A.
changes
in sense of taste and smell.
B.
poor
fitting dentures make eating painful.
C.
medications
affecting their appetite.
D.
eating
alone.
E.
All
of the above.
ANSWER: E All of the above can
affect the eating habits of the elderly causing them to lose interest in eating
properly. Not maintaining proper meals
is a leading cause of malnutrition among this age group.
7) Food choice has nothing to do with
Alzheimer’s disease.
A. True B. False
ANSWER: B Key nutrients are
very important for the brain to function at its best. Eating a selection of brightly colored fruit,
leafy veggies, fish and nuts packed with omega-3 fatty acids can improve focus
and decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
8) The best diet for the elderly to follow is
_______.
A.
Vegan
Diet
B.
Atkins
Diet
C.
Mediterranean
Diet
D.
Western
Diet
ANSWER: C Known for increasing
lifespan by 8-14%, the Mediterranean Diet is also credited with lowering the
risk of heart disease. A veggie loaded
diet with legumes, fruits, fish and unsaturated fats like olive oil, the
Mediterranean Diet is ideal for the elderly.
9) Seniors and the Elderly need
1,200 mg. of calcium daily to maintain good bone health. A common source for calcium is milk, yogurt
and cheese. Non-dairy sources include
______.
A.
tofu,
broccoli, almonds and kale
B.
mushrooms,
molasses and salmon
C.
basil,
soybeans and sardines
D.
All
the of the above
ANSWER: D There are a lot of great sources for calcium even
for those who don’t tolerate dairy easily.
Getting enough calcium prevents osteoporosis and bone fractures, which
to the aging, is a major issue.
10) Being carb smart for the aging means limiting
consumption to about 6-7 ounces of grains daily. An ounce of grain is equal to _______?
A.
a
crouton
B.
a
croissant
C.
a
slice of bread
D.
a
loaf of bread
ANSWER: C A couple
of slices of bread a day sounds fine, but most people don’t realize that pasta,
cereals, beans and many vegetables all are considered carbs. Filling up on carbohydrates is a problem for
everyone, but for the elderly it means missing out on getting the proper
nourishment from their diets. Eating
carbs labeled “whole” is better option, as they have more nutrients and fiber.
As people age,
eating well can be an important element of maintaining a positive mental
outlook and remaining emotionally well balanced. Eating a healthy diet is no longer about
sacrificing and watching one’s weight.
It is about enjoying fresh, colorful foods and being creative in the
kitchen. Enjoy a healthy meal with
friends today and you will feel vibrant and healthy, inside and out.
|
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Proper Nutrition for Elderly: Quiz
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Malnutrition Among the Elderly
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| Many of America's elderly are going hungry. |
Malnutrition is now being recognized as
a major health risk among the elderly.
Studies show that an increasing number of Americans over 65 are not
getting the calories, proteins or essential vitamins and minerals necessary for
good health. In fact, according to the
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, only 17% of the older adult
population is actually consuming a quality diet. Surveys show that 30% of seniors skip at
least one meal a day and many are living on less than 1000 calories daily. An estimated 15 – 20% of the over 65
population suffers from malnourishment. At
a time when the entire country is concerned about obesity and overeating, it sounds
amazing that a substantial segment of American’s elderly are going hungry.
There are many reasons why the elderly are not eating the quality or quantity
of food they need.
·
Reduction in sensitivity to taste and
smell. A loss of appetite is often related
to an older person’s loss of ability to taste and smell foods.
· Medications. Side effect of medications
or combinations of medications can cause a reduction of appetite, increase
instances of nausea and make food taste differently.
· Poor dental health. Poorly fitted
dentures, jaw pain, mouth sores and missing teeth make chewing difficult and
can lead to avoidance of eating protein laden meats.
· Financial difficulties. Living on a
fixed income often means the elderly must decide between purchasing quality
foods and paying bills.
· Inability to shop. Navigating busy street and crowded shops can
be daunting for the elderly, especially in bad weather. Many forego shopping for fresh produce and
try to get by with what is on hand.
· Physical frailty. Lack of strength, arthritic pain, dizziness
or disabilities can make even simple meal preparation too much of a task.
· Forgetfulness. Dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and poor memory
can hinder a senior from eating a proper variety of foods on a regular schedule. It is common among elderly with cognitive
challenges to skip meals and not be aware of when they last ate.
· Depression. Sadness due to difficulties with health, loss
of family and friends or loneliness can affect appetite and cause an elderly
person to lose interest in food.
Dangers of malnutrition for the elderly
Malnutrition leaves an elder open to
nutrient deficiencies, muscle atrophy, and a weakened immune system. It plays a
role in morbidity, mortality, recovery from illness, overcoming functional
disabilities and physical complications.
Malnutrition is directly related to increases in infections, imbalances
in electrolytes, loss of skin integrity, anemia and overall weakness and
fatigue.
Common conditions associated with aging are really due to malnutrition
It is not always easy to recognize if
an elderly loved one is suffering from malnutrition. Weight is not always a good indication. According
to Dr. William B. Bateman Jr. of the Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, a
person can be quite overweight and still be nutritionally starving to death
from a protein point of view. The
obvious signs of malnutrition are loss of appetite and an unintentional loss body
fat. Other indicators include dry and
dull hair, conjunctive dryness and a receding of the gums. An onset of mental
confusion, light-headedness, loss of taste and smell, weakness in motor skills,
falls and fractures, and skin sores are all indications that dietary imbalances
exist.
The problem is that many of the
symptoms of malnutrition among the elderly are commonly thought of as a natural
part of the aging process and not seen as signs of a treatable condition. Even among medical professionals, many older
patients with nutrition risks have their symptoms treated without care
providers addressing the root of the problem. The fact that elderly experience
a physiological decline, grow frail, and become increasingly susceptible to
illness had long been accepted as just an unfortunate part of aging. Yet recent findings show that many of the
common conditions associated with aging are largely related to malnutrition.
Gerontologists are now excited about
recent evidence that indicates that the illness and disease burden experienced
by elderly could be significantly lightened by following a better diet. According to Dr. Ranjit K. Chandra of the
Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada, it is not impossible for 80- or
90-year-olds to have immune systems similar to that of a 40-year old if their
dietary needs are not compromised. Even
those elderly who have suffered from malnutrition can begin to restore their
immune systems, improving their resistance to diseases, by correcting dietary
deficits.
Following a proper diet is essential to
the health and longevity of seniors and the elderly. By consuming a nutritionally balanced diet
seniors can add years of health to their lives.
To learn more about the specific nutritional needs of the elderly check
out the “Elderly Nutrition Handout” available at www.scribd.com.
Sources:
Malnutrition
in the Elderly: An Unrecognized Health Issue by Danielle Maher, Student Nurse &Carol
Eliadi, EdD, JD, APRN.
Nutrition
and the Elderly, by Leanne Beattie and Nicole Nichols, www.sparkpeople.com, retrieved 6/18/12.
Ten
Reasons Why Your Aging Parent May Not Be Eating Properly, by Leonard J. Hansen.
www.agingcare.com. Retrieved 6/19/12.
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