Food and Nutrition for Older Adults

Scope of Guideline (2012)

Below, you will find a list of characteristics that describe the Scope of this Guideline.

Guideline Category  

Counseling, Diagnosis, Evaluation, Management, Prevention, Screening, Treatment

Clinical Specialty

Geriatrics, Nursing, Nutrition, Ophthalmology, Optometry, Preventive Medicine, Psychiatry, Psychology

Intended Users

 Registered Dietitians, Advanced Practice Nurses, Allied Health Personnel, Dentists, Health Care Providers, Hospitals, Managed Care Organizations, Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Optometrists, Pharmacists, Physical Therapists, Physician Assistants, Physicians, Psychologists/Non-physician Behavioral Health Clinicians, Public Health Departments, Social Workers

Guideline Objective(s)

Overall Objective

To provide evidence-based recommendations on three topics related to food and nutrition for older adults promoting health and wellness.

Specific Objectives
  • To define evidence-based nutrition recommendations for RDs that are carried out in collaboration with other healthcare providers
  • To guide practice decisions that integrate medical, nutritional and behavioral strategies
  • To reduce variations in practice among RDs
  • To provide the RD with data to make recommendations to adjust MNT or recommend other therapies to achieve desired outcomes
  • To develop guidelines for interventions that have measurable clinical outcomes
  • To define the highest quality of care within cost constraints of the current healthcare environment.

Target Population

 Male, Female

Target Population Description

Older adults (aged 60 years and older).

Interventions and Practices Considered

 

This guideline is based on the Academy’s Nutrition Care Process and Model, which involves the following steps:
  • Nutrition assessment
  • Nutrition diagnosis
  • Nutrition intervention
  • Nutrition monitoring and evaluation.