Nutrition and Healthy Aging in the Community – Workshop Summary

Posted by on April 30, 2012

Nutrition and Healthy Aging in the Community – Workshop Summary

As the baby boomers age, the population of Americans over the age of 65 is expected to increase to about 55 million in 2020 – nearly 15 million more than in 2010. The increase in the older population will result in a surging demand for the delivery of services and create new challenges for older people, their caregivers, and nutrition and social services professionals who seek to ensure these services’ availability. Projections of an aging population with a greater chronic disease burden, as well as an increasing preference to live independently rather than in an institution, only add to the importance of preparation.

In light of these developments and projections, the IOM held a workshop October 5-6, 2011, to illuminate issues related to community-based delivery of nutrition services for older adults and to identify nutrition interventions and model programs which support the transition to home care as well as health and independent living in the community. The workshop aimed to improve awareness and understanding of the technical and policy challenges related to nutrition needs of older adults in community settings. This document summarizes the workshop.

http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2012/Nutrition-and-Healthy-Aging-in-the-Community.aspx