MALNUTRITION IN THE ELDERLY

Causes:

I. No money to buy food

II. Psychological

1. Depression
2. Acute grieving
3. Dementia
4. Psychosis (paranoia, etc.)

III. Medications

1. Potassium
2. Antiarrhythmics
3. Calcium channel blockers
4. Antibiotics
5. Psychotropic drugs

IV. Dietary restrictions (cardiac, diabetic) can result in inadequate calorie-protein intake

V. Medical

1. Malignancy
2. "Cardiac cachexia" (?)
3. COPD
4. DM
5. Malabsorption or other GI disease
6. Swallowing disorder
7. Oral problems
8. Hyperthyroidism