Nutritional problems and blood dyscrasias in aging patients.

Accurate solution of the problems of aging awaits better understanding and definition of senescence. However, adequate nutrition ranks high on the list of causes of increased longevity and happiness in old age. Optimum diets for aging people differ from other age groups only in some reduction in total calories. The digestive apparatus of older people is adequate except when influenced by pathological conditions. Hematologic standards are essentially unchanged in aging persons. Proper management of hematological problems in all age groups depends on accurate diagnosis. Aged patients tolerate diagnostic procedures very well under gentle management. Pure nutritional anemia is rare but poor nutrition is an important complicating factor in the management of blood dyscrasias in older people.