Specific dietary interventions. Diabetes, osteoporosis, renal disease.

A dietary treatment plan that considers both quality-of-care and quality-of-life issues is most beneficial for elderly patients. Diabetes can be successfully managed in most elderly patients with a liberalized diet that is low in simple sugars and includes variety and moderation in food choices. Although dietary management in osteoporosis may be most compelling in its preventive capacity, clinicians treating elderly patients with osteoporosis are well advised to consider supplementation of the diet with calcium and vitamin D in amounts equal to the RDAs if patients are unable to consume adequate calcium and vitamin D and if exposure to sunlight is minimal. Encouraging calcium intake, moderate exercise, maintenance of desirable body weight, and avoidance of laxative and antacid abuse with patients throughout the life cycle is appropriate preventive advice. The elderly renal failure patient may benefit from dietary modification of protein, potassium, sodium, fluid, vitamins, and minerals when complications associated with these nutrients are present. Because clinicians treat significant numbers of elderly diabetic, osteoporotic, and renal failure patients, and because many skilled nursing facilities are developing specialty and rehabilitation units for such high-acuity level patients, the clinician is well advised to know how to maximize quality of care and quality of life for these patients through appropriate dietary intervention.