Does a longer life mean a healthier life? The number of adults over 65 in the United States is growing, but many may not be aware that they are at greater risk from foodborne diseases and their nutritional needs change as they age. The IOM's Food Forum held a workshop October 29-30, 2009, to discuss food safety and nutrition concerns for older adults.

The U.S. population of older adults is predicted to grow rapidly as "baby boomers" (those born between 1946 and 1964) begin to reach 65 years of age. Simultaneously, advancements in medical care and improved awareness of healthy lifestyles have led to longer life expectancies. The Census Bureau projects that the population of Americans 65 years of age and older will rise from approximately 40 million in 2010 to 55 million in 2020, a 36 percent increase. Furthermore, older adults are choosing to live independently in the community setting rather than residing in an institutional environment. Furthermore, the types of services needed by this population are shifting due to changes in their health issues. Older adults have historically been viewed as underweight and frail; however, over the past decade there has been an increase in the number of obese older persons. Obesity in older adults is not only associated with medical comorbidities such as diabetes; it is also a major risk factor for functional decline and homebound status. The baby boomers have a greater prevalence of obesity than any of their historic counterparts, and projections forecast an aging population with even greater chronic disease burden and disability. In light of the increasing numbers of older adults choosing to live independently rather than in nursing homes, and the important role nutrition can play in healthy aging, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) convened a public workshop to illuminate issues related to community-based delivery of nutrition services for older adults and to identify nutrition interventions and model programs. Nutrition and Healthy Aging in the Community summarizes the presentations and discussions prepared from the workshop transcript and slides. This report examines nutrition-related issues of concern experienced by older adults in the community including nutrition screening, food insecurity, sarcopenic obesity, dietary patterns for older adults, and economic issues. This report explores transitional care as individuals move from acute, subacute, or chronic care settings to the community, and provides models of transitional care in the community. This report also provides examples of successful intervention models in the community setting, and covers the discussion of research gaps in knowledge about nutrition interventions and services for older adults in the community.

Instant New York Times Bestseller Uncover the evidence-based science to slowing the effects of aging, from the New York Times bestselling author of the How Not to Die series When Dr. Michael Greger, founder of NutritionFacts.org, dove into the top peer-reviewed anti-aging medical research, he realized that diet could regulate every one of the most promising strategies for combating the effects of aging. We don’t need Big Pharma to keep us feeling young—we already have the tools. In How Not to Age, the internationally renowned physician and nutritionist breaks down the science of aging and chronic illness and explains how to help avoid the diseases most commonly encountered in our journeys through life. Physicians have long treated aging as a malady, but getting older does not have to mean getting sicker. There are eleven pathways for aging in our bodies’ cells and we can disrupt each of them. Processes like autophagy, the upcycling of unusable junk, can be boosted with spermidine, a compound found in tempeh, mushrooms, and wheat germ. Senescent “zombie” cells that spew inflammation and are linked to many age-related diseases may be cleared in part with quercetin-rich foods like onions, apples, and kale. And we can combat effects of aging without breaking the bank. Why spend a small fortune on vitamin C and nicotinamide facial serums when you can make your own for up to 2,000 times cheaper? Inspired by the dietary and lifestyle patterns of centenarians and residents of “blue zone” regions where people live the longest, Dr. Greger presents simple, accessible, and evidence-based methods to preserve the body functions that keep you feeling youthful, both physically and mentally. Brimming with expertise and actionable takeaways, How Not to Age lays out practical strategies for achieving ultimate longevity.

Foods and Dietary Supplements in the Prevention and Treatment of Disease in Older Adults focuses on the ways in which food and dietary supplements affect the major health problems of aging adults. Researchers in nutrition, diet, epidemiology, and aging studies, as well as healthcare providers who work with elderly patients will use this comprehensive resource as a tool in their long-term goal of preventing and treating chronic disease within the elderly. This book brings together a broad range of experts working on the different aspects of foods and dietary supplements (vitamins, herbs, plant extracts, etc.) in health promotion and disease prevention. They have contributed chapters which define a range of ways in which foods, nutriceuticals, and dietary supplements prevent disease and promote health in older adults. They begin by reviewing the medicinal role of foods, herbal, and dietary supplements in health promotion in older adults, as well as some of the most commonly used supplements in elder "self-medication." They review the most recent studies of how foods, herbal, and dietary supplements are effective in the prevention and treatment of cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other obesity associated diseases in older adults. Then they consider alcohol, other drugs, and plant based drugs of abuse which can adversely affect the health of older adults. Lastly, they consider foods and dietary supplements in gene regulation in older adults. - Investigates the important nutritional requirements of the aging population in health and in relation to various acute and chronic diseases - Explores the nutritional effects of botanical extracts and components that can have important health promotion benefits, and risks, to ensure safe consumption - Reviews studies of common diseases within the aging population including cancer, cardiovascular, metabolic, and infectious diseases that can alter the intake of foods, supplements, and/or requirements for various nutrients - Investigates the mechanisms of action of components of foods and dietary supplements, in particular gene activation and epigenetics

Intro -- Foreword -- Acknowledgements -- Contents -- Part I: Nutritional Care in Geriatrics -- 1: Overview of Nutrition Care in Geriatrics and Orthogeriatrics -- 1.1 Defining Malnutrition -- 1.2 Nutrition Care in Older Adults: A Complex and Necessary Challenge -- 1.3 Malnutrition: A Truly Wicked Problem -- 1.4 Building the Rationale for Integrated Nutrition Care -- 1.5 Managing the Wicked Nutrition Problems with a SIMPLE Approach (or Other Tailored Models) -- 1.5.1 Keep It SIMPLE When Appropriate -- 1.5.2 A SIMPLE Case Example -- 1.5.2.1 S-Screen for Malnutrition -- 1.5.2.2 I-Interdisciplinary Assessment -- 1.5.2.3 M-Make the Diagnosis (es) -- 1.5.2.4 P-Plan with the Older Adult -- 1.5.2.5 L-Implement Interventions -- 1.5.2.6 E-Evaluate Ongoing Care Requirements -- 1.6 Bringing It All Together: Integrated Nutrition Care Across the Four Pillars of (Ortho) Geriatric Care -- 1.7 Summary: Finishing Off with a List of New Questions -- References -- Recommended Reading -- 2: Nutritional Requirements in Geriatrics -- 2.1 Nutritional Recommendations for Older Adults, Geriatric and Orthogeriatric Patients -- 2.2 Nutritional Recommendations for Older Adults -- 2.2.1 Energy Requirement and Recommended Intake -- 2.2.2 Protein Requirement and Recommended Intake -- 2.2.3 Micronutrients and Dietary Fibers -- 2.3 Nutritional Risk Factors in Older Adults -- 2.4 Estimating Intake in Older Adults -- 2.5 Nutritional Status of Older Adults, Geriatric and Orthogeriatric Patients -- 2.6 Summary -- References -- Recommended Reading -- 3: Nutritional Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment in Geriatrics -- 3.1 The Nutrition Care Process -- 3.2 Nutritional Screening/Risk Detection -- 3.3 Nutritional Assessment and Diagnosis -- 3.3.1 Nutrition Impact Symptoms -- 3.3.2 Nutritional Diagnosis -- 3.3.3 Etiologic Criteria.

Family caregiving affects millions of Americans every day, in all walks of life. At least 17.7 million individuals in the United States are caregivers of an older adult with a health or functional limitation. The nation's family caregivers provide the lion's share of long-term care for our older adult population. They are also central to older adults' access to and receipt of health care and community-based social services. Yet the need to recognize and support caregivers is among the least appreciated challenges facing the aging U.S. population. Families Caring for an Aging America examines the prevalence and nature of family caregiving of older adults and the available evidence on the effectiveness of programs, supports, and other interventions designed to support family caregivers. This report also assesses and recommends policies to address the needs of family caregivers and to minimize the barriers that they encounter in trying to meet the needs of older adults.