GERIATRIC NUTRITION… AN UNTRACED UNSAID NEED OF THE ELDERLY-A REVIEW

Food is a very essential factor as any imbalance in any nutritional needs leads to a lot of<br>future complications in such senior age groups. Malnutrition is a commonsequel, potentially<br>serious, and frequently under-diagnosed condition among elderly individuals. Age-related<br>physiologic changes along with organic and psychological disease processes lead to the<br>development of malnutrition in older adults thus accelerating the progression of one condition to<br>the other. The importance of early detection and aggressive involvement is of utmost importance<br>to arrest the speeding chain of problems in such age groups. Thus the primary level of detection<br>through the signs and symptoms is the tool. Not just detection but also the immediate care and<br>treatment planning should be executed. This article reviews the overall aspects of malnutrition in<br>the elderly. Changes in food intake and its effect on aging, along with the physiologic and<br>pathologic causes in the senior age group are looked upon. The most commonly used screening<br>tools for malnutrition in the elderly are discussed, along with non-pharmacologic and<br>pharmacologic measures for treatment.