Consider the economic and social changes that occur as people age. How do these changes affect nutrition status?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Overall, older adults today have higher incomes than their cohorts of previous generations. Still, 9 percent of the people older than age 65 live in poverty; without the help of Social Security, it would be 40 percent. Factors such as living arrangements and income make significant differences in the food choices, eating habits, and nutrition status of older adults, especially those older than age 80. People of low socioeconomic means are likely to have inadequate food and nutrient intakes. Only about one-third of eligible seniors participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Malnutrition is most likely to occur among those living alone, especially men; those with the least education; those living in federally funded housing (an indicator of low income); and those who have recently experienced a change in lifestyle (such as getting a divorce or becoming widowed). Adults who live alone do not necessarily make poor food choices, but they often consume too little food or not enough variety, especially of fruits and vegetables. Loneliness is directly related to nutritional inadequacies, especially of energy intake. Feeling lonely is also associated with a decline in activities of daily living and mobility as well as an increased risk of death.