A number of medical conditions can lead to malnutrition in the elderly. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, conditions such as cancer, depression, gastrointestinal disorders and cardiac disease can cause senior patients to lose weight unintentionally, requiring additional nutritional supplementation. Certain medications and environmental conditions can cause weight loss and decrease a senior's desire to eat properly, increasing the need for nutritional intervention.
Considerations
Before immediately turning to nutritional supplements to help elderly patients gain weight, the underlying cause of the weight loss should be diagnosed. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, diagnosis can be difficult because of the many variables that must be considered.
Warning
Nutritional deficiencies can lead to a host of serious complications, ranging from depression to early death. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, there is a direct correlation between unintentional weight loss and early mortality rates. Many normal aging processes lead to loss of appetite, such as dental problems, loss of taste and smell and reduced cognitive abilities, but substantial weight loss of more than 5 percent to 10 percent of the total body weight is not a common side effect of aging. According to the Population Reference Bureau, malnutrition in seniors can lead to a weakened immune system and infections.
Features
Supplements to diets for the elderly can take a variety of forms, from liquid supplements that contain added nutrients to changes in food preparation. According to the Population Reference Bureau, immune-boosting supplements such as beta-carotene and vitamin B-6 can improve infection-fighting responses. Upper respiratory function can be improved with supplements that contain vitamin E. Adding sweeteners such as chocolate and sugar can make foods more palatable to seniors who have lost significant taste sense.
Benefits
Healthy snacks can provide effective sources of nutrition for seniors who don't get enough vitamins and minerals from their regular meals. According to Diabetes Monitor, healthy snacks that serve as dietary nutritional supplements can include crackers and peanut butter, dried apricots, low-fat cheese and low-sodium soup.
Prevention/Solution
The beneficial effects of restricted diets for the elderly may overcompensate for their need for additional nutrition. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, lifting certain diet restrictions may help to revive the appetites of elderly patients. Restrictions on salt or high cholesterol foods may be reduced to help seniors supplement their diets with more palatable options. When high calorie supplements are required, the American Academy of Family Physicians recommends liquid forms of the nutritional supplements because the additional calories are more likely to enter the body and be fully utilized.
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