Malnutrition affects 20-50% of elderly adults in institutional settings and significantly increases morbidity and mortality.
Causes of Elderly Malnutrition
Physiological Changes:
- Decreased appetite and taste sensitivity
- Reduced gastric acid production
- Lower metabolic rate
- Dental problems affecting food intake
- Medication side effects
Social and Economic:
- Social isolation and depression
- Limited mobility for shopping/cooking
- Financial constraints
- Cognitive decline
Complete Nutrition Requirements
Elderly adults need nutrient-dense nutrition in smaller volumes:
Macronutrients:
- Protein: 1.0-1.2g per kg (higher than young adults)
- Energy: 25-30 kcal per kg body weight
- Fats: Essential fatty acids for absorption
Micronutrients (Critical):
- Vitamin D (800-1,000 IU)
- bone health, falls prevention
- Vitamin B12 (2.4-100μg)
- often deficient due to low absorption
- Calcium (1,200mg)
- bone health
- Fiber (20-25g)
- digestive health
Effective Intervention Strategies
Oral Nutritional Supplements (ONS):
- 200-400 calories per serving
- 20-25g protein per serving
- Complete vitamin and mineral profile
- 1-2 servings daily between meals
Clinical Evidence:
- Reduces mortality risk by 34%
- Improves functional status
- Decreases hospital readmissions
- Better wound healing
Formulation Considerations for Elderly
Taste and Palatability:
- Multiple flavor options (taste fatigue prevention)
- Not overly sweet (elderly prefer savory)
- Smooth texture (swallowing difficulties common)
Digestibility:
- Hydrolyzed or isolate proteins (easier digestion)
- Low lactose or lactose-free
- Added digestive enzymes (optional)
Nutrient Density:
- High protein in small volume
- Fortified with critical micronutrients
- Calorie-dense without excessive volume
Elderly Nutrition Manufacturing
UNO Nutrition develops specialized elderly nutrition for:
- Hospitals and long-term care facilities
- Pharmacies (medical nutrition section)
- Home health care providers
- Senior living communities
Our formulations address malnutrition risk while ensuring high compliance through optimized taste and texture profiles.
ISO 22000 certified manufacturing with full traceability for medical nutrition applications.