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