The population is aging
and in Sweden over 20% will be over 65 years in 2020. In Japan this figure is already 30%. Age related frailty is a serious threat to independent living and social participation of senior citizens. A main cause is lack of proper food intake, i.e. sufficient energy as well as nutrients, generally referred to as “anorexia of aging”. This leads to malnutrition which in turn leads to weight loss, frailty and finally to nursing homes, hospitalization, disabilities or even death.
It is estimated that the care costs for malnutrition in Sweden alone are 9 billion kr/year. Problems with impaired senses of taste and smell, difficulties in chewing and swallowing as well as sociological factors and depression are among the factors contributing to anorexia of aging.
