The SEGG warns of the danger of malnutrition in the elderly living alone.

-A healthy elder requires around some 2,100 daily kilocalories which would reach 2,500 or more depending on the situation of health and/or physical activity. The total number of kilocalories must distribute among fats, proteins and carbohydrates

-the Spanish society of Geriatrics and Gerontology (SEGG) recalls that the elderly should be five meals a day and that the meals prepared for them should be done with techniques of cooked that they promote chewinga good presentation of the dishes, by controlling the temperature of these and using condiments or spices that make appetizing meals

Madrid, January 2012- the economic crisis, the solitude, some health problems, lack of appetite and laziness by cooking for one only makes that older persons living alone in their homes are entering at risk of malnutritionbecause, says the Spanish society of Geriatrics and Gerontology, some 20 per cent of older persons living alone in their homes eat fewer than 1,000 kilocalories per day.

And is that this figure is insufficient for one older person, says the doctor Frederick Cuesta Triana, geriatrics Hospital Clínico San Carlos in Madrid, should eat some 2,100 daily kilocalories, which would reach 2,500 or more depending on the situation of health and/or physical activity ” (theoretical figures correspond to a weight of 70 kilos). (If the weight is less does not arrive at these estimates).

According to this doctor, recommended calories depend on the situation of health of the elderly and the weight and in general are considered to be necessary a few 25-35 kilocalories per kilogram of weight per day. These estimates would increase depending on the degree of physical activity and in situations of disease ”

the reasons why older people eat less of what you need are multiple, but mainly highlights some health problems that are common in the geriatric age such as the loss of teeththe difficulty swallowing drugs intake and loss of appetite, but also influence other social factors as loneliness that many older people are doomed explains Dr. Cuesta Triana.

Solutions to the problems of food in the major

To overcome the disadvantages that it brings with it the passage of time in the feeding of the largest, the Spanish society of Geriatrics and Gerontology, remember that you must revise the oral cavity of the largest and correct the loss of teeth to facilitate swallowing. also, it is useful to carry out a proper cleaning of the oral cavitywhich facilitates the perception of flavors and minimizes the risks of infection.

On the other hand, modify the consistency of the food or use gelled water and thickeners to minimize chances of aspiration and maintain a proper state of hydration, are effective measures to improve the difficulty of this group to swallow. In this section the review of drugs and interactions as these responsible of many adverse effects on the digestive area is essential.

Loss of appetite, fractionate the diet is a beneficial strategy to improve the intake. As noted by Dr. Cuesta Triana, is important to take into account the presentation of meals (texture, preparation and temperature), without forgetting environmental aspects such as the company at the time of the meal. That is why it is essential that carers or professionals get more dedication in meals to thus ensure correct feeding of the mayor.

on what it should base its menu?

The diet of the elderly must be balanced. According to Dr. Cuesta Triana, from a practical point of view, the menu of the elderly may be based on the classical pyramid of healthy eating that pays special attention to the consumption of water and more than lower frequency: bread, cereals, potatoes, rice, pasta, vegetables, vegetables, fruits, dairy products, meats, fish, eggs and an occasional fat and sweet ”.

In situations of health remains the need to eat at least three basic meals, adding something to mid morning and after dinner before bedtime (classic resopón). In situations of illness are trying to keep the total contribution by reducing the contribution of each shot, but increasing its frequency. In these cases usually exist less appetite and feeling of early satiety, which improves with a fractional diet, says the doctor.

As for food, usually recommend consumption of:

-meat prepared in a manner that facilitates its Mastication (meatballs, croquettes, etc.).

-prepared steamed fish, cooked or grilled with careful withdrawal of thorns, the elder detected with difficulty.

– all the dishes are should serve as a good presentation and proper temperature conditionsaccompanied by aromatic herbs, lemon … to replace salt, enhance the flavor and enhance their intake.

– eggs are cooked as tortillas or milkshakes in milk to increase the protein intake in situations of less intake.

-dairy products are commonly used in the form of fresh cheese, yoghurts or milk semi or skimmed.

-legumes in the form of puree or even tamizadas to remove more percentage fiber according to the capacity of chewing and swallowing.

– vegetables will be taken in the form of puree or salad, depending on the characteristics of the elderly.

-sometimes is useful to prepare juices to improve also the hydration.

Water intake is essential in the elderly population. So much so that it is included in the base of the Food Guide Pyramid for older. Broadly refers approximate requirements of 2 liters of water a day for a subject 70 kilos (also including the water contained in foods). The perception of thirst is lower in the elderly population, so it is ideal to frequently offer liquids (water, soups, juices, and so on). This is especially true for people with cognitive impairment, Parkinson’s disease or vascular brain accident sequelae. All these recommendations are more important in situations that favor dehydration, such as times of summer, or in subjects receiving diuretic medication.

With regard to the prohibition of food, the doctor Cuesta Triana, is of the view that in health conditions is more useful to talk about adapting intakes to the patient that ban, which in this population subgroup is much more frequent malnutrition. Sometimes controlled decision-making elements such as alcohol or salt in an attempt to minimize restrictive diets and the risk of malnutrition should agree with the old man. In situations of disease depends on the type of pathology in each case ”.

On the SEGG

The Spanish society of Geriatrics and Gerontology is a large and active European societies. Currently has more than 2,400 members of multidisciplinary areas: doctors (specialists in geriatrics, primary health care, etc), sociologists, graduates in nursing, social workers, pedagogues, psychologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, geographers, economists, architects, pharmacists …

for the SEGG, older persons are its main raison d ’ être and for this reason his work sets two main lines Action: the universalization of the geriatric care specialist in order to avoid inequalities and monitoring of the law of the unit ”.