Malnutrition is when your body doesn’t get enough nutrients from the foods you eat to work properly. Nutrients include fats, carbohydrates, protein, vitamins and minerals. These substances give your body energy. They help your body grow, repair tissues and regulate processes such as breathing and the beating of your heart.
In the United States, it is estimated that 3.7 million older adults are malnourished. Good nutrition is very important for all older adults. It is especially important for older adults who are ill or have been diagnosed with a chronic disease or dementia.
Malnutrition in older adults can lead to a number of health problems, including the following:
Because of these health problems, malnourished adults have a greater risk of falls. They also tend to make more visits to their doctor, the emergency room and the hospital. They don’t recover from surgery or other procedures as quickly as adults who are well nourished.
Malnutrition occurs when a person doesn’t have enough food or doesn’t eat enough healthy foods. A number of things may affect the amount and type of food that older adults eat. These include the following:
It can be hard to tell if an older adult is malnourished. Check the refrigerator and pantry to find out the amount and type of food your loved one has on hand. Be sure to visit during mealtimes so you can observe his or her eating habits. Keep your loved one’s doctor informed about what you observe. Ask the doctor about your loved one’s risk of nutrition problems, and keep an eye out for the health problems listed above. Know which medicines your loved one takes, and ask a doctor or pharmacist if any of the medicines may cause loss of appetite. If your loved one is depressed or is an alcoholic, help him or her seek treatment.
If you suspect that your loved one has a medical condition that is causing malnutrition, help him or her seek treatment.
To improve your loved one’s nutrition, try some of the following:
This content was developed with general underwriting support from Nature Made®.
AgingStats.gov. Older Americans 2010: Key indicators of well-being. Accessed October 29, 2010
Alliance for Aging Research. Malnutrition & Seniors: A hidden threat to your patient’s health. Accessed October 29, 2010
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Senior health: How to detect and prevent malnutrition.. Accessed October 29, 2010
National Resource Center on Nutrition, Physical Activity and Aging. Malnutrition and Older Americans. Accessed October 29, 2010
Written by familydoctor.org editorial staff