APPROACHES TO THE NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT OF THE OLDER PATIENT

Malnutrition is a common problem in older persons, and in the presence of disease, is accompanied by increased morbidity and mortality. This article provides a rational approach to the nutritional care of the c ommon nutritional problems that occur in the elderly. These problems i nclude obesity, a condition that occurs with some prevalence in older persons, weight loss and being significantly underweight, and hypoalbu minemic malnutrition. An approach to the nutritional management of pat ients with pressure ulcers is also discussed.