Reference no: EM133805680

Question

Aging is a complex process that affects people differently. There is no way to predict how someone will age, as everyone ages differently. Recommendations for specific nutrients change with age regardless of a persons health status, and food consumption patters also need adjusted accordingly. The elderly are not singled out into a specific group for nutritional needs. Instead, age categories are combined with activity levels to generate energy needs which determines the recommended food pattern. As an elderly person gets older, the needs for calories decrease. Nutritional problems that can affect the elderly include malnutrition, anemia, calcium deficiency, fatigue, digestive issues, swallowing difficulties, irregular bowel movement, and dehydration. Dehydration is one main concern in elderly because as we age, the amount of fluid in or bodies begins to decrease. This means there are fewer water reserves available for your body as it gets older. Also, the function of the kidneys can decline with age, meaning that more water may be lost through urination. It is important that elders are aware with their health conditions and medications because some medications can lead to an increase in water loss through urination leading to dehydration as well. It is recommended that elderly eat.