Nutrition and Healthy Aging in the Community: Workshop Summary

Excerpt

In light of the increasing numbers of older adults choosing to live independently rather than in nursing homes, and the important role nutrition can play in healthy aging, the IOM (Institute of Medicine) convened a public workshop to illuminate issues related to community-based delivery of nutrition services for older adults and to identify nutrition interventions and model programs which promote (1) successful transitions from acute, subacute, and chronic care to home and (2) health and independent living in the community, as well as to highlight needed research priorities. It is envisioned that the workshop will improve awareness and understanding of technical and policy issues related to nutrition needs of older adults in community settings by fostering increased dialogue among health, nutrition, and social services policy makers and researchers. This foundation will facilitate better informed and more effective plans and decisions by government and nongovernment policy makers, implementing agencies, and others informed by the workshop and this summary.