FOREWORD

In the coming years, the United States will see unprec- edented growth in its older population. The number of adults aged 65 and up will nearly double to roughly 84 million by 2050. Baby Boomers are the group largely responsible for this increase, according to the US Cen- sus Bureau, as that entire generation will be 65 or older by 2030 (1). Furthermore, with new developments in medicine and technology expected to continue increas- ing life expectancy, it is easy to see why care for the aging adult population should be at the forefront of our minds.

This third edition of Nutrition Care of the Older

Adult carries on the tradition of providing sound and practical guidance for new and experienced practitioners on all aspects of food and nourish- ment for aging adults. Whether residing at home, in assisted living, or in a nursing facility, older adults have unique nutrition needs. Like the previous edi- tion, this hands-on reference encompasses the total perspective on person-driven nutrition care of older adults, from nutrition and disease states to regula- tory compliance in health care settings. Among the many timely updates addressed in this edition are strategies for implementing the updated Nutrition Care Process; understanding and developing systems to implement quality assurance and performance improvement (QAPI); and addressing changes in

Medicare and health-care reform resulting from the Affordable Care Act. A new section on emergency preparedness is an important addition that reinforces the need for practitioners to develop a plan for main- taining care during an emergency or disaster. The Academy congratulates Kathleen C. Niedert, PhD, RD, CSG, LD, FADA, and Marla Carlson for bringing another edition of this landmark reference to life. Their dedication and commitment to this book on behalf of the Academy’s Dietetics in Health Care Communities (DHCC) dietetic practice group is unwavering. My thanks to the many contributors who graciously provided their expertise in helping to create a sound, science-based, and practical guide for nutrition and dietetics practitioners. Also integral to the success of this book are the expert reviewers who carefully confirmed the content and provided construc- tive guidance for strengthening each chapter. With this third edition, our profession is positioned as a leader in improving and maintaining person-driven care and the nutritional well-being of older adults.

Dr Evelyn F. Crayton, RDN, LDN, FAND President, 2015–2016

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

1. Ortman JM, Velkoff VA, Hogan H. An aging nation: The older population in the United States: Population estimates and pro- jections. Current Population Reports. Washington, DC: US Census Bureau; 2014. https://www.census.gov/prod/2014pubs/p25- 1140.pdf. Accessed November 13, 2015.