Program Overview

• Program: At Home in Connecticut
• Station: WTIC News Talk 1080
• Host: Bill Pierce
• Guest: Dr. Lindsay Jones, nutritionist in Hartford specializing in geriatrics
• Partner mentioned: A Place for Mom – a large senior living referral and information service

Purpose of the Interview

To educate seniors and their families about:

• Why nutrition is especially important as people age
• How to recognize signs of malnutrition in older adults
• Practical ways to improve seniors’ diets
• Online resources available through A Place for Mom

Key Topics Discussed

1. Senior Malnutrition & Why It Happens

• Nearly 4 million American seniors are malnourished.
• As people age, both their bodies and nutritional needs change.
• Common reasons seniors struggle with nutrition:
  • Changes in taste buds
  • Physical difficulty preparing meals
  • Eating alone / lack of companionship
  • Dental problems making it hard or uncomfortable to eat

2. Signs Family Members Should Watch For

Dr. Jones suggests that loved ones:

• Check the pantry and refrigerator for:
  • Old or spoiled food
  • Inadequate amounts of food
  • Very limited or poor-quality food choices
• Watch for:
  • Unusual weight loss or weight gain (loose or tight clothing)
  • Excessive or unusual bruising
  • Wounds that are slow to heal

3. Medications and Nutrition

• Seniors often have to spend significant money on medications, sometimes at the expense of nutritious food.
• Some medications deplete specific nutrients.
• Dr. Jones emphasizes using “food as medicine” when possible: a healthy diet can reduce the need for some supplements.

4. Eating Pattern Recommendations

Because seniors tend to have smaller appetites, Dr. Jones recommends:

• Three smaller meals per day
• Two snacks in between
• Focus on foods that are nutrient-dense, not just filling.

5. Key Nutrients for Seniors

Dr. Jones highlights:

• Folic acid
  • Helps reduce high blood levels of homocysteine, which can increase risk of heart disease and chronic illness.
  • Sources: spinach, asparagus, lentils, fortified breakfast cereals.
• Vitamin B12
  • Important for protein and DNA synthesis.
  • Absorption decreases with age.
  • Sources: seafood, meat, eggs, milk.
• She generally prefers nutrients from food rather than pills when possible.

6. Making Healthy Food Appealing

• Many seniors lose some sense of taste with age.
• Strategies:
  • Make meals colorful and visually appealing (“we eat with our eyes”).
  • Focus on easy-to-make recipes, especially for people cooking for one or in single-household situations.

7. Resources from A Place for Mom

Dr. Jones describes www.aplaceformom.com as a hub for:

• Articles, tips, and delicious, easy recipes (including some of her own)
• Information on how senior living communities support healthy living
• Help from a network of advisors across the U.S. (you can talk to a real person, not just use web tools)
• Explanations of different care types (nursing homes vs. assisted living, etc.)
• Relevant news and industry trends in senior care

Key Takeaways

• Senior malnutrition is common but often hidden; family members play a vital role in spotting the signs.
• Seniors generally do better with smaller, more frequent, nutrient-dense meals.
• Folic acid and B12 are especially important, and getting them from food is ideal.
• Visual appeal, ease of preparation, and companionship around meals can significantly improve seniors’ nutrition.
• A Place for Mom offers practical, accessible resources and personal guidance to support healthier eating and informed care decisions for seniors.

Listen to the Interview