Being Old
Susan Sutherland Airone
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NUTRITION
The human body is a machine that requires fuel to keep running, no matter what the age of the individual, but the need for and distribution of food for energy, growth, maintenance and repair varies with the age of the individual. Poor nutrition in all ages has a direct relationship with health issues, but there are also psychological implications as well. Food symbolizes much more than nutrition to the average American. It is an important part of socialization. Meals are a time of sharing and companionship. If senior citizens are alone, why bother to fuss for just themselves, thus eating loses its significance and it becomes a chore that is either reduced or avoided altogether. Tight budgets also restrict being able to have company in or to go out to costly restaurants. Physical restrictions take their toll as well. Non-functioning taste buds and missing teeth or illfitting dentures make eating boring and difficult. Shopping for food presents a maze of different problems for the elderly. First, the sense of vulnerability with leaving home. Secondly, how to get to stores. What means of transportation, if any, is available? Thirdly, how to carry groceries home when purchased. Fourth, the expense of the food itself, especially if shopping for one. Small portions are usually more expensive and harder to obtain. Spoilage is usually greater with only one in the household. Poor or lack of proper refrigeration is a prime problem also. Meals at senior citizen centers and nursing homes are many times aesthetically unpleasing and lacking in texture, consistency and pleasant aroma. Forgetfulness plays havoc with elderly nutrition. Many senior citizens forget to eat and drink properly. They start preparing food and become preoccupied resulting in poor nutrition and safety problems. Nutrition programs offered at senior citizen centers provide the elderly with sound nutrition at affordable prices at least once a day, but equally important, they provide the elderly with human companionship and a place to go, to belong to. The problem many times is mobility. Many elderly can not obtain transportation to senior citizen centers. Programs such as MealsOnWheels help, but they reach only a minute percentage of those needing assistance. Many elderly are unaware of or too proud to ask for help in maintaining proper nutrition which is essential for good health at any age. Teenagers are likewise the victims of poor nutrition many times and they too suffer the physical repercussions.
