Our bodies require various nutrients in certain amounts to function properly. Malnutrition occurs when there’s an imbalance between the nutrients you need and the nutrients you get.
Anyone can suffer from malnutrition, but the elderly are particularly at risk. In fact, malnutrition among older adults is considered a hidden epidemic in the United States, with increased healthcare costs for disease-associated malnutrition in seniors adding up to more than $51 billion each year.
What are the different types of malnutrition?
When most people think of malnutrition, they think of undernutrition, which is a deficiency of nutrients. Undernutrition may mean someone is lacking in macronutrients (protein, carbohydrates, and fats) or micronutrients (vitamins and minerals).
However, the World Health Organization has also recognized overnutrition as a form of malnutrition due to the detrimental health effects that can be brought on by excessive consumption of certain nutrients. For instance, an excess of carbohydrate and/or fat calories from unhealthy foods can lead to a host of metabolic disorders such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
In either case, severe imbalances can cause serious and long-lasting health issues.
Why are the elderly at a higher risk for malnutrition?
Many factors can lead to malnutrition, which are often compounded in the senior population. Some of the root causes of malnutrition in older adults include:
Limited financial resources
Poor and low-income populations have less access to adequate wholesome nutrition, and often turn to fast food or other food that’s low in nutritional value.
Chronic illnesses
Certain chronic diseases—and the prescription medications taken for them—can directly affect appetite and/or calorie absorption. Some medical conditions also require a restricted diet which may not be appealing.
Mental health conditions
Depression, anxiety, and dementia can all contribute to malnutrition, whether due to loss of interest in eating or simply forgetting altogether.
Reduced mobility
Older adults may have difficulty shopping for and preparing food. A sedentary lifestyle can also lead to overnutrition due to lack of movement.
Difficulty eating
Some conditions make eating difficult, causing trouble with chewing and swallowing or handling tableware. Poor dental health can also make eating a challenge.
Institutionalization
Seniors in hospitals or long-term care facilities often suffer from malnutrition because they find the food choices unappetizing.
Lack of enjoyment
Aging causes a natural decline in the senses of smell and taste, which makes it harder to enjoy food. Additionally, seniors with reduced social contact who often eat alone may lose interest in preparing meals for themselves.
What are the symptoms of malnutrition in older adults?
Malnutrition due to insufficient eating in the elderly is usually detected by either involuntary weight loss or low body mass index, but micronutrient deficiencies are more difficult to assess and therefore frequently overlooked. That’s why it’s important to know the signs and symptoms to watch out for.
Symptoms of undernutrition:
- Low body weight, prominent bones, depleted fat and muscle
- Thin arms and legs with edema in the belly and face
- Weakness, faintness and fatigue
- Irritability, apathy or inattention
- Dry skin, rashes and lesions
- Frequent and severe infections
- Low body temperature
- Low heart rate and blood pressure
Symptoms of overnutrition:
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
- Insulin resistance
- Heart disease
When malnutrition becomes severe in older adults, it can cause the body to begin shutting down its functions, including the immune system. It also leaves seniors vulnerable to increased risk of falling, slower recovery times, possible hospitalizations and re-hospitalizations, and even death.
While these symptoms alone don’t confirm the presence of malnutrition, you should seek the opinion of a healthcare provider if any of them are causing concern.
How is malnutrition in older adults treated?
There are a variety of ways to treat malnutrition depending on the specific deficiency. Mild cases of undernutrition can be treated with nutritional supplements like individual vitamins and minerals. More severe cases may require refeeding with a custom high-calorie nutritional formula, which should be done under medical observation. Overnutrition, on the other hand, is treated with weight loss, modifications to diet to include more nutritious foods, and lifestyle changes.
Preventing malnutrition in older adults with meal delivery benefits
Social services such as in-home support, community-based nutrition programs, and meal delivery services like those offered by LiveWell with Traditions and TRIO Community Meals can be a big help in preventing malnutrition in the elderly population.
Our program ensures that seniors receive nutritious, medically tailored meals delivered right to their door as part of their health plan benefit. These meals are nutritionally balanced, dietitian-designed to cater to specific medical conditions, and prepared by our chefs to be delicious and culturally appropriate. Learn more about the advantages in our post about How the “Food is Medicine” Approach to Nutrition Supports Older Adults’ Health & Wellness.
Whether you’re a caregiver concerned about making sure someone in your care is receiving proper nutrition, or a case manager considering adding supplemental meal benefits to your insurance offerings, contact LiveWell with Traditions. We will share information about how our nutritious home-delivered meals can help prevent malnutrition and promote wellness for seniors. Seniors may also contact their health insurance company directly to see if they qualify for our meal delivery benefit.
Sources:
https://www.agingresearch.org/news/malnutrition-a-hidden-epidemic-in-older-americans/
https://www.agingresearch.org/our-initiatives/malnutrition-in-older-adults/
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22987-malnutrition
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8399049/
https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/what-to-know-about-malnutrition-in-older-adults
