Nutrition for Older Adults
Presented by
Janice Hermann, PhD, RD/LD
OCES Adult and Older Adult Nutrition Specialist
Nutrition Needs with Aging
Nutrition Needs With Aging
 Most nutrient needs do not change with aging;
however, some changes do occur
Calories
 Calorie needs decrease with age
 Careful planning needed
to get all the nutrients
needed in fewer calories
Carbohydrates
 Carbohydrate provides energy
 Most carbohydrate should come from the
grains, fruit and vegetable groups
 Sugar rich foods should be kept low
Protein
 Protein needs do not decrease with age
 Protein is important for older adults
 Protein comes from the:
 Meat & bean group
 Milk group
Fat
 High fat is a risk factor for health conditions
 Fat comes from:
 Higher fat choices from food groups
 Oils
 Solid fats
Fiber
 Fiber is helpful for many conditions
 Fiber comes from:
 Whole grains in grain group
 Fruit group
 Vegetable group
Vitamins and Minerals
 Some changes in need occur with age:
 Decreased need
 Vitamin A
 Iron (women after menopause)
 Increased need
 Calcium
 Vitamin D
 Decreased absorption
 Vitamin B12
 Balanced diet will meet needs
Water
 Older adults need 6 to 8 cups of water daily
 Water can come in many forms
USDA Daily Food Plan
 Guide for planning a healthful diet
Vitamin and Mineral Supplements
Some May Benefit From a Vitamin and
Mineral Supplements
 Low food intake
 Poor diet
Choosing A Supplement
 Look for USP code
 Variety of vitamins and minerals
 No more than 100% recommended amounts
You Can Get Too Much
 Large amounts can be harmful
 Overdoses happen easier with supplements
than food
You Have To Judge
 Not all claims on supplements are FDA
approved
 Drugs are tested for safety before they can be
sold. Supplements are not tested for safety
before they are sold.
Supplements Do Not Replace Diet
 “Supplements” are not a diet “Replacement”
Dehydration
Dehydration
 Although many forms of fluid are available,
many older adults become dehydrated
Older Adults at Higher Risk of Dehydration
 Many factors increase the risk of dehydration:
 Thirst sensation
 Body water
 Water loss
 Fluid intake
 Reaching fluids
Symptoms of Dehydration
 Some symptoms of dehydration are:
 Weakness
 Headache
 Increased body temperature
 Increased breathing and
pulse rate
 Dizziness
Risks Associated With Dehydration
 Dehydration can also cause other serious
health problems. Dehydrated older adults are
at higher risk of:
 Urinary tract infections
 Pneumonia
 Pressure ulcers
 Confusion
 Disorientation
Tips to Help Fluid Intake
 Have fluids at meals and snacks
 Keep fluids close in a pitcher or glass
 If a person is very weak using a small glass or
straw can help with fluid intake
Factors Which Affect Food Intake
Factors Which Affect Food Intake
 Good nutrition can help keep the body healthy
 However, many factors
can decreased ability or
desire to shop, cook or eat:
 Physical
 Social
 Emotional
 Mental
 Medications
 Money
Physical Factors
•Muscle mass
•Bone mass
•Joint problems
•Vision
•Taste and smell
•Saliva
•Tooth and mouth
•Digestion
•Intestinal motility
Social Factors
 Loneliness
Emotional Factors
 Depression
Medication Factors
 Medicines can lower appetite in several ways
Money Factors
 Many older adults have limited funds which
can affect shopping, cooking and eating
Strength, Coordination, Dexterity and
Nutrition
Changes in Muscles, Bones and Joints
 Changes in muscles, bones and joints can get
in the way of good nutrition
Changes in Muscles and Bones
 Muscle, bone mass and body water tend to
decrease with age
 Muscle loss can result in decreased strength,
coordination and range of motion.
 Bone loss can increase the risk of fractures.
Changes in Joints
 Arthritis is a problem for many older adults
Changes in Muscle, Bone and Joints
 Changes in strength, coordination and range of
motion can make grocery shopping, cooking
and even eating more difficult
Maintaining Muscle and Bones
 Good nutrition helps maintain muscle and
bones
 Protein
 Calcium and vitamin D
Maintaining Muscle and Bone
 Physical activity helps muscle and bones
 Strength training
 Build muscle
 Lower body fat
 Weight bearing and resistance
 Build muscle
 Build bone
 Added Bonus: Building muscle
can help increase body water
Tips for Changes in Muscles, Bones and
Joints
 Keep a supply of food on hand
 Arrange the house for safety
 Assistive technology devices
 Changes in how food
is prepared or served
Vision and Nutrition
Changes in Vision
 Changes in vision with age can get in the way
of good nutrition
Changes in Vision
 Changes in vision can affect grocery shopping
Changes in Vision
 Vision changes can affect cooking:
 Reading small print recipes
 Seeing oven flames
 Seeing oven temperatures and timers
Tips if Vision is a Problem
 Magnifying glass
 Use care around flames
 Use colored tape on temperatures dials
 Assistive technology devices
Taste, Smell and Nutrition
Changes in Taste and Smell
 Changes in taste and smell can get in the way
of good nutrition
Changes in Taste and Smell
 Taste and smell tend to decline with age
 Many medicines older adults use can also
affect taste
Tips if Taste and Smell Decrease
 Using herbs and spices
 Try growing herbs for added enjoyment
 Include a variety of flavors, colors, shapes,
textures and temperatures.
Chewing, Swallowing and Nutrition
Chewing and Swallowing Problems
 Chewing and swallowing problems
can get in the way of good nutrition
Changes in Saliva
 Saliva moistens food and
makes swallowing easier
 Saliva tends to decrease
with age
Changes in Teeth
 Tooth loss
 Gum disease
 Unable to adjust to dentures or dentures
that do not fit
Tips if Chewing and Swallowing Is a
Problem
 Drink beverage with meals
 Make sure dentures fit properly
 Eat slowly and chew food thoroughly
 Watch for signs of choking
Tips for Modifying Foods if Chewing or
Swallowing is a Problem
 Use gravy or sauces
 Mash foods if it is an acceptable form
 Shred raw vegetables or fruits and use in
salads, gelatins or stir-fry
Tips for Modifying Foods if Chewing or
Swallowing is a Problem
 Thin meat slices
 Precut meats in casseroles, soups or stews
 Softer meats or meat alternatives
Digestion, Food Tolerance and Nutrition
Changes in Digestion and Food Tolerance
 Changes in digestion and food tolerance can
get in the way of good nutrition
Decreased Stomach Acid
 Stomach acid may decrease with age
 This can cause feelings of indigestion
Atrophic Gastritis
 Atrophic gastritis affects many older adults
 This condition can hinder vitamin B12
absorption
 Vitamin B12 may
be better absorbed
from dietary
supplements
than food
Changes in Fat Tolerance
 Fat tolerance may decrease with age
 Fat intolerance can
cause abdominal
pain and diarrhea
Tips if Fat Intolerance is a Problem
 Decrease fat added to foods
 Choose lower-fat foods
 Use low-fat preparation methods
Changes in Lactose Tolerance
 Tolerance of milk and milk products may
decrease in age
 Lactose intolerance can
cause abdominal pain,
bloating and diarrhea
Tips if Lactose Intolerance is a Problem
 Smaller amounts or milk or milk products
 Fermented milk products
 Consuming milk or milk
products with a meal
 Lactaid or Dairy Ease
Constipation
Constipation
 Constipation is a common problem for adults
Constipation
 Several lifestyle factors can help combat
constipation
Fiber
 Fiber can help reduce constipation
 Foods are the best way to increase fiber
 Fruits
 Vegetables
 Whole grains
 Dried peas and beans
 Nuts and seeds
Fiber
 Increase fiber in the diet slowly
 Drink plenty of water when increasing fiber
 Check with your doctor before increasing fiber
Water
 Water can help reduce constipation
 Older adults need 6 to 8 cups of water daily
 Water can come in many forms:
 Water
 Juice
 Milk
 Soups
 Coffee
 Tea
 Soft drinks
Physical Activity
 Physical activity can help reduce constipation.
Be physically active
 Dietary Guidelines recommend:
 150 minutes moderate-intensity physical activity a
week or
 75 minutes vigorous-intensity physical activity a
week
Medicines and Nutrition
Medications and Nutrition
 Some medications can get in the way of good
nutrition
Older Adults and Medicine Use
 Older adults may
be at higher risk
for medicines
affecting nutrition
Prolonged Medicine Use
 Prolonged use of
some medicines
may affect nutrition
Tips for Taking Medicines
 Eat a healthful diet
 Follow medicine directions
 Do not take over-the-counter medications
frequently on your own
 Tell your doctor about all
medicines you take
 Tell your doctor if any
new symptoms occur
Social Changes and Nutrition
Social Changes and Nutrition
 Loneliness is a problem for many older adults
 Loneliness does not only relate to living alone
Social Changes and Nutrition
 Loneliness can affect food intake
Social Changes and Nutrition
 Loneliness can lead to poor dietary habits
 Eating the same foods.
 Snacking instead of eating meals.
 Eating easily prepared foods.
Emotional Changes and Nutrition
Emotional Changes and Nutrition
 Although not inevitable, depression is a
common problem for many older adults
Emotional Changes and Nutrition
 Depression can cause decreased interest in
shopping, cooking and eating
Tips if Social and Emotional Changes
Affect Food Intake
 Have others over to share meals
 Eat out with others
Tips if Social and Emotional Changes
Affect Food Intake
 Senior meal sites provide a social setting to eat
 Some medicines can cause depression, check
with your doctor about the medicines you use.
Tips for Caregivers if Social and
Emotional Changes Affect Food Intake
 Serve food attractively
 Serve foods with a variety of flavors, colors,
temperatures and textures
 Don’t serve the same food day after day
 Make the surroundings pleasant
Tips for Caregivers if Social and
Emotional Changes Affect Food Intake
 Have older adults help plan and prepare meals
 Watch for signs of loneliness and depression
 Help older adults get involved in activities
 Check with doctors about medications
For Caregivers Mental Decline and Nutrition
Weight Loss and Aging
 Unintentional weight loss is a
concern among older adults
Mental Decline and Weight Loss
 Mental decline is a leading cause of weight
loss among older adults
Caregiver Tips if Mental Decline
Decreases Food Intake
 Dehydration can make things worse
 Make meals a routine
 Have the main meal at noon
 Avoid distractions at meals
Caregiver Tips if Mental Decline
Decreases Food Intake (continued)
 Allow plenty of time for meals
 Serve familiar foods in familiar ways
 Offer fewer choices and smaller portions
 Serving one food at a time
Tips for Caregivers if Mental Decline
Decreases Food Intake (continued)
 Messiness or spills may happen
 Be aware a person may not know what
should or should not be eaten
 Check food temperatures
Tips for Caregivers if Mental Decline
Decreases Food Intake (continued)
 Foods may need to be modified is choking is a
problem
 If food intake remains low
talk with a doctor about
supplemental nutrition
Tips if Feeding is Required by a Caregiver
 Preserve the person’s dignity
 People should be sitting upright
 Only feed small amounts of foods
Tips if Feeding is Required by a Caregiver
(continued)
 Don’t feed too fast
 Avoid straws the supply liquid too fast
 Stop feeding if a person appears to be choking
or coughing
Tips if Feeding is Required by a Caregiver
(continued)
 Choose nutrient dense
 If a person displays difficult eating behaviors
 A person may spit out food
because they are having a
hard time eating