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Elderly is a stage in the life cycle that is almost certainly experienced by every individual, where the individual is > 60 years old. In this phase, a person experiences many changes, both physical and mental, especially in the decline of previously possessed abilities and functions. Changes in physical appearance, such as changes in hair color, wrinkles on the face due to natural aging, decreased sharpness of the five senses, and decreased endurance, are things that threaten the integrity of elderly individuals (Ministry of Health, 2023).
In the elderly, several body organ functions will decline over time. Therefore, maintaining health when entering old age is important. The aging process is very individual and different for each person, influenced by internal and external factors. External factors that play a role in aging include eating habits, health conditions (including infections and degenerative diseases), environmental sanitation, economic conditions, family support and emotional changes. Meanwhile, internal factors that influence the aging process are biological changes which in the end can also affect nutritional status.
Food intake has a significant impact on the aging process, because all cellular and metabolic activities in the body require adequate nutrition. Early detection (screening and assessment) and providing adequate nutrition as initial treatment are important ways to prevent nutritional problems in the elderly. Degenerative diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes generally occur in the elderly, so it is important to avoid fatty foods, reduce salt intake in food, stop smoking, and reduce high sugar intake. Diet recommendations for elderly people with high blood pressure include: eat more fruit, vegetables, low-fat milk, limit sodium or salt intake, also limit red meat, but eat more fish. Then, diabetes sufferers need to be careful in maintaining their diet. If consumed incorrectly, there is a risk that blood sugar levels will become uncontrolled and lead to diabetes complications. That’s why it’s important to be aware of the three Js: type of food, amount of food, and timing of meals.
The nutritional needs of the elderly are different from adults in general. Changes in digestive function in the elderly result in the need to limit and increase the intake of certain nutrients. A holistic approach is needed in strategies to maintain health and meet nutritional needs for the elderly. They need nutrition that suits body changes due to age. A balanced and varied diet, regular health monitoring, medical consultations, and physical activity tailored to individual conditions are the main keys. Apart from that, stress management, mental health care, community education, and easy access to quality nutrition also have an important role. By bringing all these aspects together, we can help elderly people live healthy and meaningful lives when they enter the old age stage.
The elderly often face reduced immunity and are susceptible to various diseases. The nutritional needs of the elderly are different from those of adults in general. Changes in digestive function in the elderly result in the need to limit and increase the intake of certain nutrients. A holistic approach is needed in strategies to maintain health and meet nutritional needs for the elderly. They need nutrition that suits body changes due to age. A balanced and varied diet, regular health monitoring, medical consultations, and physical activity tailored to individual conditions are the main keys. Apart from that, stress management, mental health care, community education, and easy access to quality nutrition also have an important role. By bringing all these aspects together, we can help elderly people live healthy and meaningful lives when they enter the old age stage.
The need for medication in the elderly is related to the number and type of illnesses experienced. The more diseases there are, the greater the amount of medication used, which can cause problems such as difficulty in adhering to medication use or confusion in its use. It may also increase the risk of side effects or drug interactions. Adequate and quality nutrition is very important for the elderly because they need proper nutritional intake to maintain health. Various factors such as decreased digestive ability, changes in taste, and food absorption also affect nutritional needs. Meeting good nutritional needs can help elderly people adapt to physical changes, support body cell regeneration, and enable increased longevity. Calorie needs in the elderly tend to decrease due to a decrease in the body’s calorie needs in a resting state. Nutritional disorders in old age can take the form of nutritional deficiencies or excesses, which can contribute to the onset of disease or as a result of certain conditions. The first step is to identify nutritional disorders, evaluate related factors, and plan improvements for these nutritional disorders. The principles of elderly nutritional needs include lower energy needs compared to young adults (around 5-10% decrease), protein needs of around 1 gram per kilogram of body weight, as well as adjustments to similar needs for fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. with the needs of young adults. When choosing a menu for the elderly, it is necessary to pay attention to nutritional balance which includes energy sources, building substances and regulatory substances, guided by the principles of four healthy five perfect (Purnomo et al., 2020).
Essential nutrients for the body, including for the elderly, include carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals and water obtained from daily diet. It is important to eat healthy and balanced foods to maintain a healthy body. There are several steps that can be taken to meet the nutritional needs of the elderly:
*Choose foods that are rich in nutrients but low in calories, such as fruit, whole grains, low-fat milk, and sea fish. Avoid foods that are high in calories but low in nutrients, such as snacks, sweets, baked goods, fizzy drinks, and alcohol.
*Choose foods low in cholesterol and fat, especially saturated and trans fats.
*Maintain adequate fluid intake to prevent dehydration, remembering that in old age sometimes the sensation of thirst decreases. Fluid intake also supports the treatment process.
*Stay physically active, as activity and exercise can affect hunger and overall health.
The following is a summary of important nutrients for the elderly and how to obtain them:
1. Calcium: Maintains bone strength in the elderly who are susceptible to bone loss. It is recommended to get calcium from milk, fish, cereals, or dark green vegetables.
2. Vitamin D: Important for calcium absorption in bones. Apart from sunlight, sources of vitamin D can be obtained from salmon, eggs and milk.
3. Fiber: Supports the digestive system and controls fat and blood sugar levels. Sources of fiber are found in vegetables, fruits, grains, and nuts.
4. Fluids: Keep the body hydrated. Elderly people are advised to consume 6-8 glasses of water per day, however, excessive consumption also needs to be avoided because it has the potential to be detrimental to health.
The nutritional needs of the elderly often cannot be generalized because they are influenced by their individual health conditions. For example, seniors with kidney disease may require lower levels of potassium, while others require higher amounts to treat hypertension. However, elderly people generally tend to experience decreased nutritional needs due to decreased body mass, slow metabolism and lack of physical activity. Physical changes can also increase the need for certain nutrients, such as decreased bone density which requires higher calcium intake. On the other hand, changes in the digestive system also make it difficult for the elderly’s body to process vitamins and minerals which are important for maintaining mental health and body circulation (Fadila, 2023).
2024-01-08 13:33:12
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