Malnutrition and the critically ill elderly patient.

Patients over the age of 65 years are the most rapidly growing segment of the critical care population, occupying about two thirds of all ICU beds. The critical care nurse must have an acute awareness of the nutritional requirements and the physiologic impact of age and the stress of illness on the nutritional status of the elderly critically ill patient. This knowledge is essential to implement appropriate nutritional support to prevent or manage malnutrition. Adequate nutritional screening and interventions have been demonstrated to be cost effective, resulting in fewer complications, faster recovery, shorter hospital stays, and reduced hospital expenditures.