Assessing Nutrition in Older Adults
WHY: While poor nutrition is not a natural concomitant of aging, older adults who experience several concurrent diseases are at
higher risk for under- or malnutrition. Persons who are underweight (Body Mass Index < 19) and those who are overweight (Body
Mass Index > 25) often have loss of muscle mass, a compromised immune system and have increased complications and premature
death. The progression to malnutrition is often insidious, and is often undetected. The nurse plays a key role in prevention and early
intervention of nutritional problems.