Older adults have different nutritional needs than younger adults. Eating a healthy diet helps keep your body strong and can help lower your risk for disease. As you get older, your nutrition needs change. Your body needs more of certain nutrients such as vitamin B12, calcium, and vitamin D1. Vitamin D and calcium are important nutrients for older adults because of their roles in supporting bone health. People who don’t get enough vitamin D and calcium can suffer from osteopenia and osteoporosis. These disorders weaken bones and increase the risk of fractures2
Hydration for older adults
Keeping well hydrated is important for everyone’s health but if you have a poor appetite, you might also want to choose some drinks that provide energy and nutrients.
Water is a good choice for hydration throughout the day. You could try adding mint or lemon for extra flavour. Tea, coffee and other hot drinks count towards your fluid intake. Drink with plenty of milk if you want to add extra calories and protein. Milk is a good source of calcium, iodine, B vitamins and protein. Whole milk can be a better choice for adults with poor appetites. To increase calorie and protein intake, why not try to include milky drinks like hot chocolate or milkshakes with added fruit and yogurt. You can also fortify your milk by blending 2-4 heaped teaspoons of dried skimmed milk powder into a pint of whole milk. Use on cereals, in porridge, sauces soups and milky drinks1.
Malnutrition in older adults
Malnutrition in older adults is a challenging health concern that can increase the risk of mortality, morbidity, physical decline, and geriatric syndromes. Various factors, such as loss of appetite, difficulty in chewing and swallowing, medication use, depression, dementia, chronic diseases, and lack of access to nutritious food can cause it. Malnutrition can be reflected by weight loss, low body mass index, or micronutrient deficiencies. Malnutrition is preventable and treatable through screening, assessment, diagnosis, and intervention1.
Dysphagia
Dysphagia simply means, difficulty swallowing. It can occur at any age but is more common in older adults. Dysphagia can cause food or liquid to enter the lungs instead of the stomach, which can lead to pneumonia and other serious health problems. Dysphagia can be caused by many conditions such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, head injury, spinal cord injury, cancer of the head and neck, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Treatment for dysphagia depends on the cause and severity of the condition.
Supplements for older adults
Oral Nutritional Supplements (ONS) are drinks or powders that contain nutrients such as protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins and minerals. They can help to supplement the diet of people who are unable to meet their nutritional needs through food alone. ONS can help improve nutritional status, body weight, muscle mass and strength in older adults.
Vitamin B12 Supplements: As your ability to absorb vitamin B12 decreases with age, a high-quality vitamin B12 supplement can help maintain nerve function and energy levels. Find your suitable option here.
Vitamin D3: To support bone health and reduce the risk of osteopenia and osteoporosis, ensuring adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D3 is essential. Choose your preferred supplement here.
