lecture 11: lifetime nutrition of older adult

Question 1

Protein Needs

Answer 1

Same as an adult; 0.8g/kg/day* (subject to change with new data)
Replace losses but too much can stress ailing kidneys
Issues like protein foods being too tough to eat -> soft beans, meats, chopped up
Legumes are especially good if constipated, heart disease -> low fat, high fibre + protein
Consider liquid nutritional supplements with decreased appetite (ensure, boost)

Question 2

Carbohydrate/Fibre Needs

Answer 2

Should be mostly whole-grain
Most elderly don’t get recommended 21+g/day of fibre

Question 3

Vitamin Needs

Answer 3

Vitamin A: Only vitamin whose absorption increases with age (body absorbs more)
But you still need the same; RDA does not decrease

Vitamin D: Synthesis declines with age (liver/kidneys less efficient), prone to deficiency
Many older adults drink little/no milk, little/no exposure to sunlight
RDA increase after 70: People 50+ should take daily supplement of Vit D 400IU

Vitamin B12: 50+ tends to lose intrinsic factor and can’t make enough stomach acid to make it available from the proteins it’s bound to

Question 4

Iron Needs

Answer 4

Status generally improves later in life in some groups

Question 5

Zinc Needs

Answer 5

Common elderly deficiency; blunts taste, lowers appetite - down spiral of eating less

Question 6

Calcium

Answer 6

Many adult women/men fall below RDA and absorption decreases with age

Question 7

Nutrition: Two things that can affect Alzheimer’s*

Answer 7

MIND Diet: Like the Mediterranean diet but with more berries
Fish Oils: Potential treatment/prevention of Alzheimer’s

Question 8

Energy Needs

Answer 8

Generally decrease with advanced age
After 50 years, it’s assumed we use 5% less energy per decade

Question 9

Weight Loss:

Answer 9

Elderly can have involuntary weight loss and needs attention (malnutrition risk)
BMI is also different with elderly*
Recommended BMI = 25-32 for those over 70 (vs. 18.5-24.9 for younger) (bc due to risk of illness need energy stores)

Question 10

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Answer 10

Important in every age group, esp. Elderly — *important but obvious

Question 11

Physical Activity Guidelines: For older adults >65 years

Answer 11

150 minutes of moderate/vigorous intensity aerobic activity/week, at least 10+ minute bouts

Question 12

Grapefruit Juice*

Answer 12

Affects metabolism of some medications
Suppresses an enzyme that breaks down 20+ medical drugs
Therefore the drug isn’t broken down; stays in body for longer

Question 13

Dysphagia

Answer 13

Difficulty swallowing; seen in aging, stroke, neuro/nerve damage pts.

Question 14

Diet Texture Modification

Answer 14

IDDSI - International Diet Dysphagia Standardization Initiative
They grade foods and drinks on a scale of 0-7 on how hard they are to eat (7 is hardest)

Question 15

Pureed Texture

Answer 15

Smooth, homogeneous foods; spoon-thick consistency, mashed potato/yogurt

Question 16

Minced Texture

Answer 16

Small, soft, pea-sized particles; easy to chew, Shepherd’s pie/cottage cheese