Nutrition

• Eating and drinking well are important to maintain a good health and avoid frailty! 
• Malnutrition, specifically under-nutrition, is an increasing concern for older adults. 
• Malnutrition becomes an even greater concern as older adults begin to face health complications such as frailty, dementia, cognitive decline, or other negative health conditions. 
• The issues associated with malnutrition can be seen both within community (delayed wound healing, increased risk of falls etc.) and hospital (increased length of stay etc.) settings. 
• Although a healthcare professional is required to identifying malnutrition, there are also some simple things to watch for if you think you, or a loved one, may be at nutrition risk.

Some social risk factors for malnutrition include:

• Living alone

• Low social support

• No participation in social events

• Recent unplanned weight loss

• Appearing thin or very thin

• Loose fitting clothing or jewellery

• Require additional help with eating

• Have problems with teeth or dentures

• Experiencing changes in appetite

• Taking medications that change the taste of food or appetite level

Some physical warning signs of malnutrition include:

• Recent unplanned weight loss

• Appearing thin or very thin

• Loose fitting clothing or jewellery

Other factors to consider are those people who:

• Require additional help with eating

• Have problems with teeth or dentures
• Experiencing changes in appetite
• Taking medications that change the taste of food or appetite level

For more information about healthy eating for older adults, please click here. 

Tips for Caregivers

• As a caregiver, physical changes may be more easily identified than social changes, depending on the relationship between the individual and their caregiver. 
• Physical changes should be taken as an early sign of potential nutritional issues and more attention should be given to making sure the person is eating well and drinking enough fluids to meet their body’s needs.
• There are clinical tools that a healthcare professional can use when an individual is suspected to be at risk of malnutrition. 
• Talk to your healthcare provider for more information. In Ontario, Manitoba and British Columbia you can contact a registered dietitian here. 
• For more information about malnutrition, including research underway in Canada, please see the Canadian Malnutrition Task Force website here.