Older People Living in the Community - Nutritional Needs, Barriers and Interventions: a Literature Review

Abstract

Introduction 1. This literature review focuses on the nutritional needs of older adults living in the community, the barriers to them meeting their nutritional needs and interventions which may be successful in improving nutritional intake. Good nutrition plays a vital role in the wellbeing and health of older people but also helps delay and reduce the risk of developing disease. Aims 2. The aims of the review are to: - Identify the nutritional needs of older people living in the community and barriers to them meeting their nutritional requirements. - Identify effective dietary and other interventions, including interventions to improve food access for older people (including cooking clubs, delivered meals/food etc) and use of supplements (of which vitamin D may be one), to improve health outcomes (including nutritional status) of this population group.