EVALUATING AND TREATING NUTRITIONAL PROBLEMS IN OLDER PATIENTS

Up to 65% of elderly hospitalized patients are protein-energy undernou rished at admission or acquire nutritional deficits while hospitalized . For the elderly patient who requires nutritional support therapy, a strategy of intervention should be carefully formulated based on the r esults of a clinical assessment. While receiving nutritional support, the patient should be monitored carefully for complications and changi ng metabolic requirements. Modifications to the original regimen shoul d be made to meet the patient's needs as necessary.