Nutrition Competencies

Upon completion of the nutrition specialty track, a student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate nutrition knowledge and skills associated with specialty-level practice in the area of geriatrics and gerontology.

2. Provide comprehensive nutrition services across the continuum of care for older adults.

3. Implement nutrition-related strategies to maintain optimal health across the spectrum of aging.

4. Integrate the four elements of the Nutrition Care Process – assessment, diagnosis, intervention, and monitoring/evaluation – to optimize positive outcomes in older adults.

5. Develop the nutrition components of health promotion/disease prevention/risk reduction programs for the aging population as part of an interdisciplinary health care team.

6. Develop the nutrition components of chronic disease management programs as part of an interdisciplinary health care team.

7. Integrate professional practice perspectives that embody the core values and ethical principles in nutrition as applied to the aging population.

8. Apply evidence-based approaches to the provision of nutrition services for the aging population.

Competencies for Nutrition by Course 

Course:  Nutrition and Aging

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Describe physiological, psychosocial, pharmacologic, functional, environmental, and economic factors affecting the nutritional status of older adults.

2. Deliver nutrition services to older adults considering relevant conditions, diseases and/or other specific needs or nutrient requirements.

3. Customize the food and nutrition services for older adults in home-, community-, and institutional-based programs.

4. Identify the food, nutrient, and supplement needs of older adults.

5. Explain how ethical, societal, and legal issues affect the nutritional status of older adults.

6. Communicate effectively the role of nutrition in health and disease to enable older adults to make healthy food choices as part of a healthier lifestyle. 

Course:  Nutrition Assessment of the Older Adult

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Determine the appropriateness of nutrition assessment measures relative to physiologic, pathophysiologic, and functional status in older adults.

2. Conduct a nutrition-focused physical examination as part of the health, medical, and physical activity assessment of the older adult.

3. Use examination tools such as anthropometric measurements, biochemical indices, clinical and physical symptomatology, dietary intake, and psychosocial markers to screen and assess the nutritional status of older adults.

4. Interpret the physical assessment relative to the nutrition well-being of the older adult.

5. Establish appropriate nutrition diagnosis(es)  for the older adult  based on the outcomes of the comprehensive assessment,

6.  Identify culturally appropriate nutrition intervention strategies for the older adult.

7. Based on the outcomes of the comprehensive assessment, design, implement, and collaborate with caregivers/patients, and other health care professionals regarding an appropriate interdisciplinary care plan.

8. Monitor the outcomes of the nutrition care intervention, and adjust the care plan as needed.

9. Refer as necessary older adults to other health care professionals or services based on the outcomes of the comprehensive nutrition assessment.

Course:  Nutrition and Physical Activity

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Describe the synergistic relationship between nutrition and physical activity for health promotion and successful aging.

2. Recognize the role of cardiovascular, pulmonary, endocrine, digestive, and muscular physiological systems as they relate to physical activity and metabolism in the older adult.

3. Describe relevant dietary supplements, nutraceuticals, functional foods, and/or ergogenic aids that may be used by older adults.

4. Evaluate the role of medical nutrition therapy and physical activity in the management of disease.

5. Review effectiveness of existing nutrition and physical activity programs for older adults.

6. Develop community-based nutrition and physical activity programs emphasizing the role of health promotion, disease prevention, and disease management in the aging population.