Elderly Nutrition

As people age and become less active, proper nutrition becomes a critical factor for maintaining good health, preventing disease, and improving overall quality of life. Over the past century, the percentage of Americans 65 years of age or older has more than tripled from 4.1% in 1900 to 12.9% in 2009. This increase has put enormous pressure on the health care system of the United States and on government programs designed to reduce poverty and food insecurity. This entry details the various government programs that have been implemented to address elderly nutrition.

Federal Social Security (income support) and Medicare (medical support) are programs instituted to provide a safety net for America’s aged population. Other government programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program—previously known as Food ...