This document summarizes a presentation on nutrition and quality of life in the elderly. It discusses indicators of well-being and risks of malnutrition according to the DETERMINE checklist. It notes that centenarians consume more carotenoids and vitamins A from food. The top 10 risks of malnutrition for the elderly are described, including economic hardship, reduced social contact, multiple medications, and needing assistance. Overall nutrition screening and addressing risks can improve quality of life for seniors.

1. Nutrition and Quality of Life in the Elderly Presenter : John Orta, Professor of Nutritional Sciences, California State University, Los Angeles, CA August 7, 2007 Oxford Roundtable: Successful Aging: Enhancing the Quality of Life

2. Successful Aging: Enhancing the Quality of Life An interdisciplinary perspective Harris Manchester College Oxford, England Tuesday, August 7, 2007 Nutrition and Quality of Life in the Elderly Presenter : Dr. John Orta, R.D. FADA Professor of Nutritional Sciences, California State University, Los Angeles, CA, USA

3. Nutrition & Quality of Life In general, subjective estimates of the individual’s health status do not correlate closely with objective assessment of health status as measured by laboratory tests and physical assessments.

4. Indicators of Well-Being

6. What are indicators of nutritional risk among the elderly?

9. Disease

10. Disease

11. Alzheimer’s Disease Can make it difficult to remember what you eat potentially affecting nutritional status.

12. Elderly Depression Can Cause changes in appetite, digestion, weight and well-being.

14. Eating Poorly

15. Eating Poorly Compromises Nutritional Health

16. Eating Poorly & Sentariness Compromises Nutritional Health

17. Alcohol Displaces Nutritious Meals & Disposes of Income

19. Healthy Mouth,Teeth, & Gums, are Needed To Eat Properly

20. Health Care Reform?

21. Tooth Loss--Edentulousness A healthy mouth, teeth and gums are needed to eat properly.

22. Dentures Missing, loose or rotten teeth or dentures which don’t fit well or cause mouth sores make it hard to eat.

23. Mouth Pain Chronic mouth pain makes it hard to eat.

25. Economic Hardship

27. Reduced Social Contact

28. Reduced Social Contact Vienna has the largest elderly population of any metropolis in the world – fully 36 per cent of its 1.6 million inhabitants are over age 60.

29. Reduced Social Contact? Not in Vienna The Aged In Vienna: A Gerontocracy When asked what is important in his life now, the retiree typically replies unhesitatingly, "Health and good appetite." www.aliciapatterson.org/.../Skerly05.html

31. Multiple Medications: Polypharmacy Polypharmacy Polypharmacy, or the concurrent use of many drugs, has been associated with increased rates of potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use and dangerous drug interactions. Polypharmacy Warning! Increases the potential for adverse drug-nutrient interactions.

32. Multiple Medications: Polypharmacy

33. Multiple Medications: Polypharmacy Polypharmacy and Potentially Inappropriate Medication in the Elderly. US Pharm . 2006;10:112-116.

34. Involuntary Weight Loss May Have Serious Health Concerns in the Elderly—i.e. Sarcopenia

35. Involuntary Weight Loss

39. Involuntary Weight Gain May Lead to or Aggravate Serious Health Problems

41. Do Look Fat?

42. Cartoons often ridicule fat people

44. Needing Assistance in Health Care

45. Needs Assistance in Health Care

47. Elder Years Above 80 Years Old

50. Check Up On Your Nutritional Health Circle the number in the "yes" column if the statement applies to you. Total the "yes" numbers to get your nutritional score. TOTAL 2 I am not always physically able to shop, cook and/or feed myself. 2 Without wanting to, I have lost or gained 10 pounds in the last six months. 1 I take three or more different prescribed or over-the counter drugs a day. 1 I eat alone most of the time. 4 I don't always have enough money to buy the food I need. 2 I have tooth or mouth problems that make it hard for me to eat. 2 I have three or more drinks of beer, liquor or wine almost every day. 2 I eat few fruits or vegetables, or milk products. 3 I eat fewer than two meals per day. 2 I have an illness or condition that made me change the kind and/or amount of food I eat. YES

51. Check Up On Your Nutritional Health Circle the number in the "yes" column if the statement applies to you. Total the "yes" numbers to get your nutritional score. TOTAL 2 I am not always physically able to shop, cook and/or feed myself. 2 Without wanting to, I have lost or gained 10 pounds in the last six months. 1 I take three or more different prescribed or over-the counter drugs a day. 1 I eat alone most of the time. 4 I don't always have enough money to buy the food I need. 2 I have tooth or mouth problems that make it hard for me to eat. 2 I have three or more drinks of beer, liquor or wine almost every day. 2 I eat few fruits or vegetables, or milk products. 3 I eat fewer than two meals per day. 2 I have an illness or condition that made me change the kind and/or amount of food I eat. YES

52. What Your Nutritional Score Means 3-5 You are at moderate nutritional risk! See what can be done to improve your eating habits and lifestyle. A local office on aging, congregate meal sites, health department or cooperative Extension Office can help. Recheck your nutritional score in three months. 6 or more You are at high nutritional risk! Take this checklist with your the next time you see your doctor, dietitian or other health or social service professional. Talk with them about any problems you may have. Ask for help to improve your nutritional health. These warning signs suggest risk but do not represent a diagnosis of any condition. 0-2 Good! Recheck your nutritional score in six months.

55. www.ext.vt.edu/.../348-020/348-020.html

57. The End