With the aging of the
US Population, increased attention is being given to delivering
health and realted services to older persons in the community.
The US Administration
on Aging's Elderly Nutrition Program (ENP) provided MAFS with a
grant to support nutrition services to older people. This program
is valid for thouse who fulfill the following critaria
Many seniors today are
of course, healthy, independent and well-norished. Some of our older
loved ones, however, have health and functional issues that can
make it difficult for them to obtain adequate nourishment. It is
important for caregivers to be aware of their loved one's nutritional
needs and status, because in older adults poor health and poor nutrition
often becomes a vicious circle inadequate nutrition can lead to
or worsen illness, and illness causes a decrease in appetite and
food consumption.
As we age,we
generally need fewer calories to maintain our body weight, our lean
body mass (muscle) decreases and our metabolic rate slows down and
burns calories more slowly. Nevertheless, although the amount of
calories that seniors need decreases, we still need the same amount
(if not more) of protein, vitamins and minerals. According to the
American Dietetic Association, approximately 85 percent of old Americans
are at risk for malnutrition.
Older adults
run the risk for malnutrition for many different reasons, including
normal physiological changes due to aging (Such as decreasing sense
of smell and taste; research indicates that by age 75, people have
only half as many taste buds as they did at 30), illness, grief
and depression.
Some of the
effects of malnutrition in the elderly include anemia, weakness,
fatigue, infections, fractures and cognitive abnormalities. Symptoms
of malnutrition include:
- Weight
Loss
- Muscle
Wasting
- Sparse,
Dull Hair
- Poor
Wound Healing
- Cognitive
Impairment
- Weak
Cough
- Decreased
Grip Strength
So to make sure that our seniors
are getting all the malnutritions they need, Metropolitan Asian
Family Services offer a nutrition program for free at site of MAFS.
Elderly above 60 can visit us at MAFS and enjoy the fresh cooked
nutritious food from Monday to Saturday.
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