Malnutrition In Older Adults

Despite the vast research on nutrition and health, malnutrition is still a major fatality in this present day. Policymakers, social scientist and medical experts have expressed alarm about the growing problem. While most agree that the issue deserves attention, consensus dissolves around how to respond and resolve the problem. Malnourishment continues to be a primary health liability in developing nations such as Asia, sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. It is globally the most significant risk factor for illness and death, predominantly with hundreds of millions of pregnant women

There are three main ways that malnutrition can occur, either through impaired absorption, impaired nutritional intake or an increased metabolic demand. (Cartwright & Williams, 2002).

Over 8.2 million seniors over the age 60 face the threat of food insecurity, up 78% from a decade ago affecting one in seven seniors. The rise in food insecurity is primarily seen among senior Americans with income less than $30,000 or one to two times the poverty level. Younger seniors between the ages 60-69 are becoming more likely to become food insecure than older adults, due to early retirements and not being able to rely on Social Security or Medicare until they reach 65. Elder malnourished patients experience 2 to 20 times more complications and 100% longer hospital stays. Good nutrition is vital to helping America’s 34 million seniors to stay healthy,

Nutritionists would play a necessary role in a proactive healthcare system. It is estimated that healthier diets may prevent $71 billion per year in medical costs, lost productivity, and the value of premature deaths associated with these conditions. (Frazão) There is a strong correlation between the introduction of additives, such as artificial sweeteners, high fructose corn syrup, and trans fats, in the American diet and the obesity epidemic, both of which began in the early 1960 's. (AHA) Although many people know these substance are unhealthy, they are not aware of how often these additives are present in foods deemed as healthy. These substances are found in staple foods, such as frozen food, baked goods, processed foods, jelly, juice, sodas, whole-grain breads, cereals, ketchup, crackers, yogurt, sweet pickles, applesauce, salad dressing, ice cream, breakfast bars, lunch meats, canned fruits, dairy products, sweetened beverages and added to some meats. (Siegel) Since this is such a deeply rooted problem that has not yet been solved through the efforts of educating the public, specialists are necessary to resolve this costly problem. (Calkins)

In the last five years there has been a growth in the level of food insecurity among the aging population. In 2012 15.3% of the aging faced a threat of food insecurity. Further from 2001 to 2012 there was a 44% increase in the aging population experiencing hunger (Ziliak & Gundersen, 2013). In 2008 8.1% of households with an elderly individual living in the residence were food insecure, and 8.8% of the elderly living alone were food insecure (Coleman-Jenson, Nord, Andrews, & Carlson, 2009). After a dip in 2010 rates of food insecurity among the aging there was an increase in food insecurity among households with the elderly present and households of the elderly living alone (Coleman-Jenson, Nord, Andrews, & Carlson, 2011; Coleman-Jensen, Nord, & Singh; 2012, 2013). 2013 8.7% of households with elderly individuals were food insecure (Coleman-Jensen, Gregory, & Singh, 2014; Ziliak & Gundersen, 2014). Research has shown food insecurity leads to the reduction of nutritionally sufficient diets and poorer health status, thus this growth in food insecurity for the elderly is troubling as the elderly are already at risk for poor health outcomes (Lee & Frongillo, 2001; Stuff, et al., 2004).

Mother of five, Cynthia, has a steady job at a nursing home as well as a supportive husband yet struggles to feed her family on a daily basis. Like many other Americans she does not qualify for government assistance because she makes too much; in her case thirty eight dollars too much. In cases like Cynthia’s, options seem incredibly limited and there is often no assistance for feeding her family (abcnews). Over 12 million children under the age of eighteen in the United States are food insecure. Meaning they are unable to consistently access adequate amounts of nutritious food necessary for a healthy life. More than three million children under the age of five are food insecure (Insecurity2012).

In 2007, nearly six million senior citizens in America faced the threat of hunger. Today more than 9.3 million seniors over the age of 60 are struggling with hunger and the numbers are continually rising (Schilling, 2010). Many of our nation’s seniors live on limited incomes and have tremendous difficulty in making ends meet. Staples such as eggs, bread and milk costs are rapidly rising. Utility costs are soaring. Many seniors are finding themselves paying more for medical care and many are finding themselves in financial trouble and cannot keep up with the cost of living. Due to declining health issues, high medical bills greatly reduces their income and some often find themselves choosing between medication and food. Malnutrition is one of the greatest contributors to costly hospital stays and nursing home admissions. In 2014, there were over 4,800 seniors in Scioto County, Ohio over the age of 65 living below the poverty line and facing the threat of hunger (Scioto County Commissioners, 2016).

All my life these have been my favorite foods to eat, until the doctors forced me to eat healthier with food without flavor and salt; flavorless food I dislike.” Without recognition the subject normal eating habits were affecting her health. While the subject was place in a retirement home, when asked about, how satisfied is she with the health care she is receiving the subject states, “when I need surgery for my leg I was one of the lucky ones to be approve for my surgery, when I needed a wheel chair, diapers, and a prosthesis Medicaid and Medicare cover me.” Hence, findings suggest a link between health, income, age, and social

Patient malnutrition is a very real and serious matter; it can lead to a worsening of the patient's

Nurses use the enhanced nutritional care by screening the patient using the “Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool” (MUST) to discover if patients are malnourished, deciding on what to do prevent the patient from malnutrition by monitoring and observing the patient when they eat, improving their preference of food to make sure patients have a balanced diet, and evaluating if patients are eating what they receive from nurses and if they are properly nourished. The RCN’s “Nutrition Now” campaign has made preventing malnutrition a goal by creating principles, such as being responsible for making changes to nutrition and hydration care plans, since “nutrition is essential for life, as vital as medication and other types of treatment” (Royal College of Nursing, 2016). Using the enhanced nutritional care principles, the Canadian Malnutrition Task Force created the Integrated Nutritional Pathway for Acute Care (INPAC) algorithm for discovering, treating and monitoring patients who are malnourished in acute

Australia’s ageing population has resulted in a continued rise of hospital admissions in the elderly1 leading to an increase in hospital acquired complications, such as malnutrition(nosocomial malnutrition). This malnutrition is a considerable problem particularly for the those over 65 years old2 whose treatment encompass a broad range of (often multifactorial) medical conditions3, e.g. dysphagia, intestinal resection, surgical and syndrome complications (such as cachexia and anorexia due to fasting or disease processes, loss of abilities due to stroke/dementia etc.) or psychosocial and environmental changes such as sleep deprivation, pain, and depression 3, 4.

In today’s society malnutrition has always been an issue for older adults and young individuals. There has been studies that have stated that older adults among young people are the most susceptible to having poor eating habits. Malnutrition alongside obesity is a national issue. There have been many programs that have been put in place to solve this issues. There are many programs that are created in order to provide assistance for older adult’s health and safe (Nutrition and Aging, 2016).

The United States is experiencing social issues related to food insecurity and hunger. Current research states that older adults are especially vulnerable to food insecurity. In a study published in the Journal of Urban Health states, “Among the 14.6% of American households experiencing food insecurity, approximately 2 million are occupied by older adults” (Chung, Gallo, Giunta, Canavan, Parikh, & Fahs, 2011, p. 1). Since the year 2011 the Athens Community Council on Aging reports, “Almost 9 million older adults in the United States are at risk for hunger, and Georgia is 8th in state rankings for older adult risk of hunger” (2014, p. 1). Fortunately, in North America, hunger seldom reaches extreme levels of starvation. Researchers’ instead look at food insecurity as a way to monitor needs in our society (North, 2001).

The United States has many different nutrition problems. There are people living in food deserts, people who don’t have money to buy food, people who don’t know what healthy foods look like, and many others. These issues should be of concern to everyone in the country. The nutrition and health of these people affects everyone. I think that two of the largest nutrition issues facing the country and obesity and malnutrition.

      At any age, nutrition is vital to maintaining health and enhancing quality of life.  However, achieving good nutrition can be especially difficult for the elderly, the fastest growing portion of America's population.  Many factors, including physiological changes, changes in nutritional needs, illness and physical limitations, food-medication interactions, depression and loneliness, and food insecurity are common causes of malnutrition in the elderly.  This paper will explore factors affecting elderly nutrition, provide suggestions for obtaining and maintaining good nutrition after age 65, and describe the services available to help the elderly meet their nutritional needs.