Nutrition and the Institutionalized Elderly

Stem the tide of weight loss and illness for the elderly Across the country, the number of elders cared for in nursing homes is growing. Nutritional deficiencies that impact this population is a mounting concern. Nutrition and the Institutionalized Elderly presents recognized leaders in the field discussing the challenges facing geriatric health professionals in providing proper nutrition to the aging. This unique resource brings together in one place the current knowledge regarding feeding frail elders in the nursing home. The latest research is reviewed, focusing on how to best revise approaches to feeding the elderly that will limit problems with weight loss and other concerns. Nutrition and the Institutionalized Elderly comprehensively focuses on the reasons for poor nutrition in the aging, including poor oral health, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, and dysphagia. The book examines micronutrient deficiencies common in institutionalized elders and the consequences of malnutrition that are often found, such as pressure ulcers. Problems reviewed include limited numbers of staff members, multiple co-morbidities, and inherent problems that led to the development of nutritional deficiency. This resource is useful to researchers, teachers, and front-line providers. Topics discussed in Nutrition and the Institutionalized Elderly include:

the negative effects of weight loss—and the possible benefits of weight gain
treatment strategies for patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia
oral health as an integral component of overall nutritional health
dysphagia screening tools and interventions
endothelial function and its link to pressure ulcers
low vitamin D status in the elderly, with approaches to counteract the problem
lutein deficiency and age-related ocular disorders

Nutrition and the Institutionalized Elderly is an invaluable resource for physicians, nurses, dietitians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, physical therapists, occupational therapists, policymakers, and other geriatric health professionals.