Nutritional needs of older adults

Special feature

Nutritional needs of older adults

By Misa Acox Editor, Forward Focus

“10,000 Baby Boomers turn 65 every single day.”

– Pew Research Center

While this statistic is impressive, the compounding of this statistic is astounding. The “silver tsunami” as it’s sometimes called means the number of seniors will double by the year 2050, from 57 million in 2010 to more than 112 million in 2050 (Meals on Wheels America).

As the population ages, it is crucial that good eating habits are established and maintained to achieve optimal nutrition. The nutritional needs of older adults are distinctly different from young people. The aging body, in fact, needs more nutrients as it ages due to a decrease inthe body’s ability to absorb or use certain nutrients. The metabolism slows down meaning the body doesn’t burn as many calories as it used to which can sometimes mean older adults may need to adjust how much they eat to maintain a healthy weight. Activity levels play a part; the body needs less calories if sedentary, more if activity levels are higher.

Vital nutrients needed for aging bodies Nutrition holds the key to healthy aging. After the age of 50, the body’s ability to absorb certain nutrients diminishes so maintaining healthy eating habits can play a significant role in keeping chronic illnesses at bay or in check. With all of the changes in the food pyramid these last few years, it is easy to be confused about portions and guidelines. Certain nutrients like B-12, vitamin D, potassium, calcium and fiber are vital to optimal health.

The USDA now provides information on smart eating tips through its My Plate program (https://www. choosemyplate. gov/MyPlatePlan). The food pyramids of yesterday have been replaced by the “smart plate” that illustrates portions and smart food choices.

The cost of feeding one older adult on a homedelivered meal service like FiftyForward Fresh for ONE year is roughly the same as ONE day in a hospital or TEN days in a nursing home (Meals on Wheels America 2018 fact sheet).

Use this website as a tool to calculate appropriate options for healthy eating including daily recommended amounts of different food groups. The website even has a BMI calculator, and a body weight planner to lose weight in a safe, methodical way as well as healthy recipes and sample menus.

For those on a fixed budget, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, serves as the primary source of nutrition assistance for millions of lowincome individuals. “SNAP offers nutrition assistance tomillions of eligible, low-income individuals and families and provides economic benefits to communities. SNAP is the largest program in the domestic hunger safety net (USDA.gov).” In Tennessee, visit https://www.tn.gov/ humanservices/for-families/ supplemental-nutritionassistance-program-snap. html to learn about SNAP assistance.

Food insecurity affects nutrition In many instances, access to healthy food choices can be challenging for older adults. There are many reasons older adults may be experiencing hunger and food insecurity. A decline in health or mobility may make it difficult for older adults to grocery shop. With the growing geographical transience of family members, many older adults may be without nearby family and friends who can assist with food shopping or they may need help preparing food. The result is millions of older adults left alone to fend for themselves, often hungry, and food insecure. Enlisting in a meal delivery service is one way older adults can reap the nutritional value of good food.

FiftyForward Fresh Director Sharie Loik Goodman visits with Winston, 96, a FiftyForward Fresh/Meals on Wheels customer.

According to Feeding America, nearly 5 million older adults face hunger in the United States. The rate of hunger among seniors 60+ has increased 45% since 2001, mostly due to the lingering effects of the 2008-9 recession (FeedingAmerica.com). Nearly 63% of households with an older adult age 50+

face an impossible choice – groceries or medicines. Older adults shouldn’t have to choose between nutritious meals and the medications they need to live a healthy life.

Home-delivered meals can boost nutrition Winston, 96, is young in spirit. Born in Nashville, his career as a NASA engineer and as a Navy Lieutenant took him to many other parts of the world, including North Korea. He eventually moved back to Nashville because he wanted to live the rest of his life in the home he purchased in 1950.

Before Winston began receiving meals, he had lost fifteen pounds in six months. His doctors were concerned. They urged him to eat meals that provide the nutrition he needs to prevent a rapid decline in health. His family applauded his decision to have FiftyForward Fresh/Meals on Wheels deliver healthy meals to him. The meals and companionship provided by FiftyForward Fresh are an important part of maintaining his ability to age at home. continued on page 8Winter 2018 | 3

Special feature

Statistics show seniors remaining at home who receive food assistance such as home-delivered meals save billions in Medicare and Medicaid costs. The cost of feeding one older adult on a home-delivered meal service like FiftyForward Fresh for ONE year is roughly the same as ONE day in a hospital or TEN days in a nursing home (Meals on Wheels America 2018 fact sheet). When weighing the cost of hospital care versus the cost of nutrient-packed home-delivered meals, it pays to eat healthy.

What you can do to stay healthy:

• Maintain a healthy weight or lose weight safely if necessary (always consult a doctor before starting a weight loss program).

• Meet nutritional needs. Older adults should take care to eat foods rich in potassium, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, minerals, and dietary fiber. Eating nutritious meals can help reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. With these chronic illnesses, healthy eating habits can reduce any complications due to chronic disease, increase mental acuity, increase recuperation speed and help maintain energy levels.

• Regular physical exercise goes hand-in-hand with healthy eating. Exercise can help maintain a healthy weight and help maintain strength and independence as you age.

FiftyForward introduces a new spin on Meals on Wheels … FiftyForward Fresh

Did you know that the first known Meals on Wheels delivery was by a small group of Philadelphia citizens in 1954? Today, the network boasts more than 5,000 independently-run local programs across the country. FiftyForward Meals on Wheels began in 1969 – in 2019 we will celebrate 50 years of service delivering meals to older adults in the Nashville community. FiftyForward receives no government funding for our home-delivered meal service and is funded entirely by donors.

Through an exciting healthy food initiative, our longstanding FiftyForward Meals on Wheels program is being transformed to FiftyForward Fresh, a collaboration between FiftyForward and The Nashville Food Project providing home delivery of the highest quality fresh, healthy food and continued connection to all the essential FiftyForward supportive services for adults 50 and older.

Meals on Wheels programs are often the first line of support for isolated and food insecure older adults in our community. Not only do they deliver a nutrient dense meal, but volunteers provide a safety check and social interaction with a friendly and caring volunteer. For some older adults, this delivery may be the only social interaction they have each day.

FiftyForward Fresh delivers the support that older adults need to live independently in their homes as they wish. Of those who receive meals:

• 81% say it improves their health

• 92% say it enables them to remain living at home;

• 90% say it makes them feel more safe and secure

If you would like information about FiftyForward Fresh or would like to donate, volunteer or sign up to receive meals, call Sharie Loik Goodman, 615-463-2264; or email sloik@fiftyforward.org.

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