Successful Aging
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Transcript Successful Aging
Successful Aging
Sorosh Roshan, MD, MPH
International Health
Awareness Network
www.ihan.org
Who is Old?
Second childhood - Shakespeare late 16th
century “sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste,
sans everything”
The United Nations defines older people
as those 60 years of age and over, and
The oldest old as those over 80 years of
age
The Human Rights of Older Women
Equal access to health and social services
Eliminate gender, age, race and income related
inequalities
Life long training opportunity
Involving older workers right across the company’s
activities e.g., training, worker involvement in
redesigning the work place, etc.
Access to the labor market
Elimination of elder abuse
Aging
“A process of gradual and spontaneous
change, resulting in maturation through
childhood, puberty and young adulthood
and then decline through middle and late
age”
Senescence
“The process by which the capacity for cell
division, growth, and function is lost over
times, ultimately leading to an
incompatibility with life; i.e., the process
of senescence terminates in death”
Successful Aging
A process by which deleterious effects are
minimized
Healthy lifestyle from preconception
though out life cycle
Nutrition and an active physical, mental
and spiritual life
Accelerated Aging
Progeroid syndrome
Warner syndrome
Wiedmann-Rautenstrauch syndrome and
Hutchinson-Gilford syndrome
Down syndrome
Physiology of Aging
Aging is a normal process in which the
rate of catabolic changes become greater
than the rate of anabolic cell regeneration.
Loss of cells and body mass can lead to
varying degree of decreased efficiency and
impaired organ function.
Physiological Changes
Sensory losses
Oral health problems
Gastrointestinal and metabolic abnormalities
Cardiovascular diseases
Physiological Changes (con’t)
Reduction of pleasure of eating due to
hyposmia (the ability to taste and smell
reduced) and dysgeusia (the capability to
digest foods is reduced)
Reduced ability to detect odor can cause
food poisoning
Dry mouth (xerostomia), hyposalivation;
difficulties in chewing and swallowing;
constipation
Gastrointestinal Changes
Constipation due to inadequate intake of
fiber, fluid, sedentary life style
Glucose intolerance
Increase in plasma levels of 1.5mg/dl per
decade
Deficient insulin production or function
Diet modification and exercise are the
treatment of choice
Gastrointestinal Changes (con’t)
Hypochlorhydria (Lower levels of digestive
enzymes)
Diminished absorption of nutrients such as
B12, iron and calcium
Metabolism of calcium and vitamin D is
altered during aging
These factors and poor dietary intake will
accelerate bone loss and osteoporosis
Nutritional Requirements
Age, gender, level of activity, food allergies,
environment and medical conditions
Caloric requirements begin to decline from
55-60, (500kcal per for men and 300 kcal for
women)
Protein requirements increase slightly
20-30 kcal per kg of body weight-depending
on the person’s weight.
Nutritional Requirements (con’t)
1.25g of protein per kilogram of body
weight is appropriate for the elderly (12 16% of total daily calories).
The US RDA for adults is .8g of protein
per kilogram of body weight.
Need varies depending on illness, stress,
open wounds, burns, vigorous exercise,
infection and altered GI function.
Carbohydrate Intake
Limited to 55% of total daily calories.
40% of it from complex carbohydrate,
whole grains, vegetables and fibers.
Fibers help reduce cholesterol and plasma
glucose level.
Dietary Fat
30% of daily calories.
Reduce saturated fats.
Increase intake of monounsaturated and
polyunsaturated sources including Omega
3 fatty acids (salmon, tuna fish, walnuts
and flaxseed powder)
Nutrients and Vitamins
– Calcium intake 800-1200mg/day
– Phosphorus intake to be reduced to
700mg/day.
– Vitamin D for the homebound with limited sun
exposure.
– Iron store tends to increase with age. The
recommended dose is 10mg/ day for men and
women. (50% of the required dose for under
the age of 50)
Anemia in the Elderly
Is due gastrointestinal bleeding and
malignant disease.
Zinc
Zinc deficiency causes:
– Impaired immune function
– anorexia
– dysgeusia
– delayed wound healing
– development of pressure ulcers
Treat with Zinc supplements
Antioxidants
Vitamin E enhances immune function.
400 IU daily.
Vitamin C may help to protect against
cataract, 150-250 mg/day.
B12, B6 and folate may help to improve
nutritional status and energy, protects
against elevated serum homocysteine, a
risk factor for depression, cardiovascular
and neurological deficits.
Hydration and Fluid Intake
Dehydration is the most important cause
of fluid and electrolyte disturbances in the
elderly.
A daily fluid intake of 30-35 ml per
kilogram of body weight, or a minimum of
1.0-1.5 ml per kilogram's necessary.
Daily Fluid Requirements
Fluid requirements increase with:
– Exercise
– Use of laxative or diuretics
– Hot environment
– Increase protein or fiber intake
– Fever
The elderly often experience reduced
thirst sensation
The Menu
The food should be prepared for the
individual needs.
Good presentation, fresh, nutritious, tasty
and nutrient dense. Be considerate of
those who wear dentures or suffer from
dysphasia. Add supplements if you must.
Serve the food with bouquet of tender
loving care.
Special Thanks
Azi Ahmadi, MS Nutrition
Laura DiClementi, MS Health Education
Courtney Essary, MBA
Hewitt Simon, Age in Action-S. Africa
Council for the Aged