Nutritional Plan for the Elderly - Guidelines for Seniors

Aging is a natural stage of life. The WHO distinguishes three periods: early age (60-74 years), late age (75-89 years), and longevity (above 90 years) (B. Łacheta 2014). One of the key factors determining the quality of life of older people is health, i.e. physical, mental and social well-being, which is influenced by factors such as diet and physical activity. The most common health problems in the elderly are diseases of the cardiovascular system, the musculoskeletal system (joints and spine), the liver and the lungs, as well as diabetes, peptic ulcer disease and cancer. With age, older people also begin to experience problems with the nervous system, which may manifest as mild cognitive impairment or dementia. Most of these conditions are chronic diseases dependent on nutrition (B. Piórecka 2013). The diet of older people is also influenced by dental problems, dry mouth, chewing and swallowing difficulties (S. Larrieu et al. 2004). Reduced intestinal motility can lead to constipation, which is a common complaint among older people. Medications taken by the elderly can also affect appetite and taste perception, and some of them can interact with food, disrupting their absorption. The typical diet of older people contains too much fat, sodium and phosphorus. In the daily diet of older people, there are often fatty meat products, processed meats and sweets (J. Kałuża, M. Jeruszka, A. Brzozowska 2001). However, there are too few dairy products, whole grain products and legumes. Older people also do not consume enough vegetables and fruits, which makes it difficult to provide the body with the necessary amount of vitamins and minerals. It is important to note that the substances contained in vegetables and fruits, such as carotenoids, polyphenols and phytoestrogens, can slow down the aging process and reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, cardiovascular disease or other chronic diseases (J. Zalega, D. Szostak-Węgierek 2013). Older people are also more susceptible to bone fractures, which may be related to deficiencies in vitamin D and calcium (A. Szustecka 2020). Insufficient intake of vitamin C (e.g. from vegetables and fruits) can weaken the immune system and increase susceptibility to infections. Insufficient magnesium intake can contribute to the occurrence of hypertension, fatigue or cramps. Proper nutrition for older people can improve their quality of life, prevent the occurrence of diseases and support the treatment of existing conditions.