Diet In Geriatric / Old Age
Growing old age is an irreversible biological process. As we grow old, there is a progressive decline in the functioning of most organs. Old age brings about a number of changes in the body such as reduced hearing, weak eyesight, loss of teeth, poor digestion etc. Many of these changes affect our ability to eat, digest and utilize food. The ability to digest and absorb food also decreases. Elderly people also complain of a feeling of heaviness and fullness in the stomach, gas formation and acidity.
The nutritional need of the elderly are very different from those of young adults.
As one grows older, the boys metabolic rate slows down and the activity level decrease. Therefore the elderly require less energy and correspondingly smaller quantities of food, but they need the same amount of vitamins and minerals.