Table 1 Effects of changes on aging
Change | Effect on older people (age 60 and above) |
|---|---|
Decreased sense of taste | Reduced appetite |
Decreased sense of smell | Reduced appetite |
Loss of vision and hearing | Decreased ability to purchase and prepare food |
Oral health/dental problems | Difficulty chewing, inflammation, poor quality diet |
Altered energy need | Diet lacking in essential nutrients |
Decreased physical activity | Progressive depletion of BMI and loss of appetite |
Muscle loss | Decreased functional ability |
Social isolation | Decreased appetite |
Financial and environmental | Limited access to food, poor quality diet |