Mature adults generally have poorer calorie requirements, but similar or even higher nutrient requirements compared to younger people. It is mostly caused by less physical activity, metabolism changes, or age-related muscle mass and bone loss (Lutz et al., 2015). The nutrient requirements of this population are also influenced by chronic diseases, multiple medications, and changes in body composition. Recent studies show that as older people’s ability to absorb and use many nutrients becomes less efficient, their nutrient requirements (primarily based on body weight) increase.
Most of my elderly relatives now suffer from high cholesterol, caused by lack of activity and poor diet. With age, it becomes more difficult to exclude fried and semi-finished products from the diet, which are easier to digest in young people. It is also superimposed by the fact that a person has lived a sedentary lifestyle all their life, reflected in an old age. In this case, following a low-carb diet and increasing activity, even with simple walks, is best. In addition, older people usually do not pay enough attention to water’s importance in recovery or maintaining health (Lutz et al., 2015). In this regard, it is necessary to monitor the full range of essential nutrients and water intake. The quality of nutrition significantly impacts physical condition, cognitive state, bone health, eye health, vascular function, and the immune system (Lutz et al., 2015). Thus, maintaining a nutrient-dense diet is critical for older adults because of the effect food intake has on health.
Strategies to involve nurses in the nutritional care of older patients should consider that participation may not always be perceived as an essential part of patient care for this population. A person-centered approach to care may be one of the care models that facilitates this. Nevertheless, despite the preference for an individualized treatment, information about the patterns of dietary change in the elderly plays an essential role in a good patient care process.
Reference
Lutz, C. A., Mazur, E. E., & Litch, N. A. (2015). Life cycle nutrition: The mature adult. In Nutrition and diet therapy (pp. 207–223). Chapter, F.A. Davis Company.