JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

Abstract

One third of surgical operations involve elderly patients, and one in two patients over 65 years will need surgery at some point in time in the remainder of their life. Surgery in geriatric patients is accompanied by an increase in morbidity and mortality. There is an increased risk of hospitalized elderly patients presenting with or developing, protein energy and other nutrient deficiencies in comparison to young adults. The nutritional assessment, management of nutrition deficiencies and diet of elderly hospitalized patients is generally neglected. Nutritional assessment using the available tools followed by dietary counseling and nutritional support are required for optimal metabolic and surgical care of this age group