SEPTEMBER 2018 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 49
PRESS HEALTH
RIGHT
EATING STAYING HEALTHY IN RETIREMENT
Americans are now living longer
than ever before. In fact, one of the
fastest growing segments is people
over the age of 85 who will represent
20 percent of the population by the
year 2040. Because we are living
longer, certain conditions specific
to seniors are also on a steady rise.
Dehydration, falls, fractures, cognition
loss and attention deficits are
now becoming more commonplace.
In a recent paper titled “Salt Appetite
Across Generations” presented at
a medical conference in Switzerland,
Israeli researchers from the University
of Haifa indicated that among seniors,
a reduced sense of thirst could
increase the risk of serious dehydration.
They also noted that the appetite
for salt does not diminish with age,
and suggested that this could be
used to help sustain hydration and
prevent the dangerous symptoms
that result from dehydration.
Another study published in the
American Journal of Hypertension
identified significant risks to cardiovascular
health and longevity from
consuming less than one or more
than three teaspoons of salt per day.
Fortunately, most Americans, including
seniors, when left to their own
choice, consume right in the middle
of this range.
Seniors in assisted living centers
can be especially susceptible to
the dangers of low-salt diets. In
2013 a task force of 12 professional
medical, nursing and nutritional
organizations assembled by the Pioneer
Network published the “New
Dining Practice Standards.” Their
report concluded that low-salt diets
were contributing to malnutrition
and weight loss among a significant
percentage of seniors in assisted
living facilities.
Low-salt diets can also cause seniors
to suffer from mild hyponatremia,
an electrolyte imbalance in the
blood that may not sound bad but can
lead directly to walking impairment,
attention deficits and a much higher
frequency of falls. Several recent
medical papers found a direct relationship
between hyponatremia and
unsteadiness, falls, bone fractures
and attention deficits.
Falls are one of the most serious
problems for the elderly and about
a third of people over 65 fall at least
once every year. Fall-related injuries
in the elderly are associated with numerous
psychological and physical
consequences and are a leading cause
of bone breakage and hip fractures,
which can lead to complications and
permanent disability or death. Some
seniors do need a low-salt diet but
many do not, and would not benefit
from such a diet.
-BPT
LIFESPAN TIP
SHEET FOR
OLDER ADULTS
Eat breakfast every day.
Select high-fiber foods like wholegrain
breads and cereals, beans,
vegetables, and fruits.
Have three servings of vitamin
D-fortified low-fat or fat-free milk,
yogurt, or cheese every day to help
keep your bones strong as you age.
Drink plenty of water or water-based
fluids.
Ask your health care provider about
ways you can safely increase your
physical activity.
Fit physical activity into your
everyday life. Take short walks
throughout your day
Stay connected with family, friends,
and your community
Source: The National Institute of
Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney
Diseases
Health Information Center
“Because we are living longer, certain
conditions specific to seniors are also on
a steady rise.”