Elder insecurities: poverty, hunger, and malnutrition.
Between 8% and 16% (2.5 to 4.9 million) of the elder population have experienced food insecurity within a 6-month period. Federal programs to combat food insecurity reach only one-third of needy elders. While hunger and poverty are linked directly to malnutrition, the multifaceted nature of elderly malnutrition cuts across all economic, racial, and ethnic groups. Malnourished patients experience 2 to 20 times more complications, have up to 100% longer hospital stays, and compile hospital costs $2,000 to $10,000 higher per stay. Dietitians can advocate routine nutrition screening to target elders at highest risk and lobby for expansion of appropriate nutrition services in home, community, and institutional settings.
Wellman
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Florida International University, Miami, USA.
Weddle
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Kranz
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Brain
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D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006815:Hunger; D008297:Male; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D011203:Poverty / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology