Consensus of the Nutrition Screening Initiative: risk factors and indicators of poor nutritional status in older Americans.

Dietetics professionals must become even more proactive in taking the lead in the nutritional screening and assessment of older Americans. They can do so by encouraging all health care providers to become familiar with each older American's circumstances and needs. In addition, as individuals and as a professional health care association, we should urge our colleagues and institutions to establish regular longitudinal surveillance and continuity of care in nutrition services delivery. The timely, appropriate, and cost-effective delivery of nutritional screening, assessment, and care will improve the health and well-being of this valued segment of the US population. Dietetics professionals are a vital part of this process.