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