Aging and Eating

If you have met me, heard a seminar, or read something I have written you know that I am a big proponent of keeping a thorough check on the nutrition of my elderly patients. What are they eating? Is it just caloric intake, or quality caloric intake? Vitamin deficiencies cause issues with clarity in thinking, mental speed, focus, concentration, just to name a few. The risk exists for the average person whose diet is not generally filled with all of the nutrition needed, but it’s even greater for the geriatric population. Watch out for the most common B12 and D.

So what can be done when the elderly person starts losing weight, begins eating less and less?

• · Don’t try to change an elderly person’s eating habits completely. This will often be met with strong resistance.

• · Work with nutritive supplements in between meals, and hope that “real food” intake will also increase once overall health improves.

• · Provide small meals with few items. A huge amount of food presented in one setting can seem overwhelming.

• Eat with the person who is having trouble. We all like to have a nice meal with the ones we care about.
  

Last, but most certainly not least, I have to say it... keep quality of life in mind. Make sure the supplements you give taste great! If you wouldn’t drink or eat it don’t expect them to.