Nutrition for the Elderly: Things to Keep in Mind

Nutrition for the Elderly: Things to Keep in Mind

Age affects the body and nutritional needs of each person. For the elderly, physiological changes occur that require them to have a special diet to maintain health.

1. Changes in Form:

• Height decreases by 3-5cm due to the collapse of intervertebral discs, vertebral collapse.

• Decreases > 6cm due to osteoporosis.

2. Energy Requirements:

• Decrease by 1/3 compared to younger people, due to reduced muscle mass and less activity.

• The elderly need to eat less than when they were younger.

3. Nutrient Absorption:

• Protein: Absorption is poor, and the liver’s ability to synthesize albumin is also reduced, leading to protein deficiency.

• Carbohydrates: Tolerance to sweets decreases, increasing the risk of diabetes due to reduced insulin secretion and insulin resistance in the pancreas.

• Fat: Lipase activity (fat-hydrolyzing enzyme) decreases, increasing the risk of blood lipids.

4. Important Vitamins:

• Vitamin D3: The skin synthesizes it when exposed to sunlight, elderly people go out less in the sun, so the ability to synthesize vitamin D3 is also reduced.

5. Essential Minerals:

• Calcium, phosphorus, magnesium:

• Calcium requirement: 1000mg/day (normal elderly), 1500mg/day (osteoporosis patients).

6. Nutritional Considerations:

• Fat: Fat increases, reducing the elimination of fat-soluble drugs.

• High risk of choking: Pay attention to posture when feeding.

7. Malnutrition:

• BMI <20 (under 70 years old)

• BMI <22 (over 70 years old)

8. Sarcopenia:

• Occurs when at least 2/3 of the following factors are present:

• Reduced muscle mass

• Reduced handgrip strength

• Reduced walking speed

9. Notes when feeding:

• Feed 70% of the need, the rest is supplemented by other means.

Advice:

• The elderly need to be advised on nutrition by a specialist to have a diet suitable for their health condition.

• Pay attention to diet, appropriate exercise and regular health check-ups to prevent diseases.