Chapter: Nutrition and Diet Therapy: Diet During Late Adulthood
Appropriate Diets During Late Adulthood
APPROPRIATE DIETS
The diets of older
adults should be planned around MyPyramid (Table 15-1). When special health
problems exist, the normal diet should be adapted to meet individual needs.
The federal government
provides the states with funds to serve hot meals at noon in senior centers
across the country. These senior centers become social clubs and are immensely
beneficial to the elderly. They provide compan-ionship in addition to
nutritious food. Frequently the noon meal at “the center” becomes the focal
point of an older person’s day.
The federal government
also provides transportation for those who are otherwise unable to reach the
senior center for the meal. When individuals are completely homebound,
arrangements can be made for the meals to be delivered to their homes. Some
communities have Meals-on-Wheels projects. Participating people pay according
to ability. In addition, food stamps are avail-able and can sometimes be used
for the Meals-on-Wheels programs.
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