Improving Nutrition and Health Outcomes for Older Adults: Key Takeaways from a Consensus Statement

Strategic Insights -

According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, equitable access to nutrition care can significantly improve nutrition and health outcomes for older adults in long-term care and community settings. The consensus statement, reached after a thorough review of the literature and expert input, highlights the importance of addressing malnutrition in this vulnerable population. Strategies to improve access to nutrition care include policies to ensure comprehensive screening and referral, evidence-based individualized nutrition care, and expanded reimbursement for nutrition services.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has issued a consensus statement emphasizing the need for equitable access to nutrition care for older adults in long-term care and community settings.
  • Malnutrition is a significant problem among older adults, with far-reaching consequences for their health and well-being.
  • The consensus statement identifies key barriers to nutrition care, including fragmented health care systems, insufficient research, and limited reimbursement for nutrition services.
  • Strategies to improve access to nutrition care include policies to ensure comprehensive screening and referral, evidence-based individualized nutrition care, and expanded reimbursement for nutrition services.
  • Adequate RDN staffing and increased research are also essential to improving nutrition outcomes for older adults.
  • The consensus statement highlights the importance of coordination with available community nutrition programs to improve access to nutrition care.

Statistics:

  • According to the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, approximately 1 in 5 older adults in long-term care settings are at risk for malnutrition (1).
  • The cost of malnutrition in the United States is estimated to be over $42 billion annually (2).
  • The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics reports that adequate nutrition care can reduce hospital readmissions and improve quality of life for older adults (3).

Sources:

  • "Provision and Access to Nutrition Care for the Prevention and Treatment of Malnutrition in Older Adults Within Long-Term Care and Community Settings: A Consensus Statement of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics." Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 2025;125(11):1755-1768.