Vulnerable Older Americans Need Nutrition Support During COVID-19 Pandemic

A national coalition of more than 100 organizations and stakeholders said the coronavirus pandemic could potentially place older Americans at higher risk for malnutrition, reports Yahoo! Finance . "Many older Americans are . . . isolated due to COVID-19," said Defeat Malnutrition Today National Coordinator Bob Blancato. "In light of this, we are encouraging Americans to become aware of the risk of malnutrition to older Americans and how they can help to protect them from it." With senior centers, congregate nutrition programs, and adult day care centers temporarily closing across the country, Blancato said social isolation and mental health issues are known to heighten seniors' malnutrition risk. Studies also found that malnutrition affects immunity, which may impact the ability to fight and recover from infections and acute illnesses like the coronavirus. Defeat Malnutrition Today has updated its website to provide critical information about avoiding malnutrition, including answers to frequently asked questions about senior adult nutrition, advice on staying connected, and links to federal nutrition programs for older adults and their families.