Old age is a definition that includes individuals aged 65 and over in our country, which is affected by the biological and physiological changes brought about by time. With aging, there is a decrease in mental and physical capacity. Decreased appetite, digestive system problems as a result of chewing difficulties due to deterioration of oral and dental health, constipation, diarrhea, undereating, various combined disease conditions (hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, rheumatism, osteoporosis, infectious diseases, etc.), depression and psychological disorders. These are diseases that are common in old age, such as diseases.
Although our world is getting older day by day, with the improvement of living standards, the extension of human life and the decrease in birth rates, the elderly population will be seen mostly in developing countries in the coming years. When evaluated from a psychological and social perspective, it can be said that in order to have a successful old age process, strategies should be developed to keep the relationships of elderly individuals with their family and close circle alive. Nutrition is very important to alleviate the severity. In the elderly, basal metabolism slows down, mobility and perception decrease, they may forget to eat, and cannot consume their meals completely due to tremors in their hands or body.
In this period when many medications are used, some medications may disrupt nutrient absorption or some foods may reduce the effectiveness of medications. can destroy. Here is the elderly person's disease chart, food consumption history, blood values and medications used, anthropometric measurements (malnutrition / overweight history), surgeries etc. in elderly nutrition. In the light of all this information and a complete anamnesis, we should apply a balanced personalized nutrition program to our elderly, including full energy, protein and fluid amounts.
An element that should be taken into consideration in the elderly's nutrition is fiber. Foods containing at least 30-35 grams of fiber daily should be consumed, such as legumes, whole grain foods, fruits-vegetables and dried fruits. During this period, multiple fried foods containing carcinogenic elements, trans-fat foods, creamy and sherbet desserts, Very solid foods and fatty hard meats should not be preferred. Instead of milk and its products planned as 5-6 meals, eggs, whole grain bread, meat and vegetable dishes made with liquid valuable oils (olive oil, flower, corn), milk desserts (pudding, rice pudding, keşkül) as snacks for those who are underweight, fish (once a week). 3 times), bulgur, noodles, seasonal fruits and vegetables can be recommended.
One thing that should be taken into consideration is that the foods prepared for the elderly should be prepared by strictly following the hygiene rules, just like for babies and children. Let's not forget that many diseases in which the immune system weakens in old age are present in the individual. It is a period when. Hygiene rules should be followed while cooking, preparing and serving the food, sanitation of fresh and raw foods should be ensured, and hand hygiene should also be taken into consideration.
As a result, in the nutrition of the elderly, taking into account the existing diseases of the person, it is important to keep this period at the ideal weight in the most comfortable and most comfortable way. A healthy, balanced diet is recommended to ensure a quality life.
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