Healthy Eating As You Age: Know Your Food Groups

Making smart food choices is an important part of healthy aging. Understanding the different food groups — and how much of each should make up your diet — can help you form a healthy eating pattern over time. This article describes the main food groups and other important nutrients recommended for older adults in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (PDF, 30.6M). We also provide suggestions for how to fit occasional treats into your healthy eating pattern.

It is important to get the recommended amount of each food group without going over your daily recommended calories. Keep in mind that the amount you should eat to maintain your weight depends on your age, sex, and level of physical activity.

Main food groups

Vegetables

Vegetables come in a wide variety of colors, flavors, and textures. They contain vitamins and minerals, carbohydrates, and are an important source of fiber. The vegetable food group includes dark green vegetables, red and orange vegetables, starchy vegetables, and legumes (beans and peas).

Dark green vegetables include broccoli, collard greens, spinach, and kale. Red and orange vegetables include acorn squash, carrots, pumpkin, tomato, and sweet potato. Starchy vegetables include corn, green peas, and white potatoes. Other vegetables include eggplant, beets, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, celery, artichokes, green beans, and onions. Legumes include black beans, garbanzo beans (chickpeas), kidney beans, soybeans, and tofu. Legumes can also be counted in the protein foods group.

1/2 cup-equivalent of vegetables equals:

• 
  1 cup uncooked spinach
• 
  6 baby carrots
• 
  1/2 cup cooked kidney beans
• 
  1/2 cup broccoli florets
• 
  1/2 large (3-inch diameter, 3-3/4 inch long) red pepper
• 
  1/2 cup cooked green beans

See more foods in the vegetable group.

Fruits

Fruits bring color, flavor, and important nutrients to your diet. There are so many choices — citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits; different kinds of berries; fruits that grow on trees, such as apricots, cherries, peaches, and mangoes; and others like figs, grapes, and pineapples.

According to the Dietary Guidelines (PDF, 30.6M), older Americans generally do not eat enough fruit. Adding more fruit to your diet can have significant benefits for overall health. Fruits, like vegetables, contain carbohydrates and provide extra fiber that helps keep your digestive system moving. For even more fiber, eat fruits with the skin on — just make sure you wash all fruits thoroughly before eating. Although 100% fruit juice also counts toward this category, at least half of the fruits you eat should be whole fruits. When purchasing frozen, canned, or dried fruit, choose options that are lowest in added sugars.

1/2 cup-equivalent of fruit equals:

• 
  1 small piece fruit, such as a 2-inch peach or large plum
• 
  1/4 cup dried fruit
• 
  1/8 medium cantaloupe
• 
  1/2 cup 100% orange juice
• 
  1/2 medium grapefruit
• 
  1/2 cup grapes

See more foods in the fruit group.

Grains

Any food made from wheat, rye, rice, oats, cornmeal, barley, or other cereal grain is a grain product. This includes bread and pasta, breakfast cereal, grits, tortillas, and even popcorn. Grains — along with fruits, vegetables, and dairy — contain carbohydrates, the body’s main source of energy.

Read food labels to find grain choices that are low in saturated fat and added sugar. Be especially wary of options labeled “low-fat,” which can be high in added sugar.

At least half the grain foods you eat should be whole grains. Whole grains provide iron and many B vitamins, and they have fiber, too. Examples of whole grains include whole wheat, whole oats, whole bulgur (also known as cracked wheat), and whole cornmeal.

Some grain products are refined, which gives them a finer texture and a longer shelf life but removes fiber and nutrients. Most refined grains are enriched, which means that some nutrients are added back after processing. Examples of refined grain products include white flour, degermed cornmeal, white bread, and white rice.

1 ounce-equivalent of grain equals:

• 
  1 slice bread
• 
  1 small (2-1/2-inch diameter) muffin
• 
  1 cup breakfast cereal (flakes, rounds, or puffed)
• 
  1/2 cup cooked cereal, rice, or pasta
• 
  3 cups popcorn
• 
  1 small (6-inch diameter) corn or flour tortilla

See more foods in the grain group.

Protein foods

Proteins are often called the body’s building blocks. They are used to build and repair tissues, and also help your body fight infection. Your body uses extra protein for energy. Older adults should try to eat a variety of nutrient-dense proteins. Choose lean (low-fat) meats and poultry. Keep in mind that you can also get protein from seafood, eggs, beans, nuts, seeds, and soy products. Protein from plant sources tends to be lower in saturated fat, contains no cholesterol, and provides fiber and other health-promoting nutrients. Plant sources of protein, such as nuts and seeds, have different nutritional value than plant-based meat alternatives, which can be heavily processed and high in sodium.

The Dietary Guidelines (PDF, 30.6M) recommend that you eat 8 to 10 ounces per week of a variety of seafood, not only for the protein but also because seafood contains omega-3 fatty acids, such as EPA and DHA, which are good for your heart. Seafoods that are higher in EPA and DHA include salmon, anchovies, and trout. These seafoods are also lower in mercury, which can be harmful, than other types of seafood.

1 ounce-equivalent equals:

• 
  1/2 ounce nuts (12 almonds, 24 pistachios, or 7 walnut halves)
• 
  1 tablespoon peanut butter
• 
  1/2 cup split pea, lentil, or other bean soup
• 
  1/4 cup tofu
• 
  1 egg
• 
  2 tablespoons hummus

See more foods in the protein group.

Dairy

Consuming dairy helps older adults maintain strong bones and provides several vital nutrients, including calcium, potassium, and vitamin D. For your heart health, pick from the many low-fat or fat-free choices in the dairy group. These give you important vitamins and minerals, with less fat. Certain fortified dairy alternatives can provide similar nutritional content to dairy.

1 cup-equivalent of dairy equals:

• 
  1 cup yogurt
• 
  1-1/2 ounces hard cheese, such as cheddar, mozzarella, Swiss, or Parmesan
• 
  1/3 cup shredded cheese
• 
  1 cup milk or calcium-fortified soy beverage
• 
  2 cups cottage cheese
• 
  1 cup pudding made with milk

See more foods in the dairy group.

Other foods

Some foods are not in any of the main food groups. These include oils, which can be eaten regularly as part of a healthy diet, as well as unhealthy fats, sugars, and calories from drinks, which should only be consumed occasionally. There is no recommended daily intake amount in cups or ounces for these products. Limiting the calories you consume from this category can help keep your healthy eating habits on track.

Oils & solid fats

Oils are high in calories, but they are also an important source of nutrients like vitamin E. For older adults, the daily allowance of oils ranges from 5 to 8 teaspoons, depending on activity level. Oils contain monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which are healthy fats that give you energy and help the body absorb certain vitamins.

Measuring your daily oils can be tricky — knowing what you add while cooking or baking is one thing, but oil is naturally a part of some foods.

Teaspoons of oil:

• 
  1/2 medium avocado has 3 teaspoons of oil
• 
  4 large ripe olives have 1/2 teaspoon of oil
• 
  1 tablespoon of peanut butter has 2 teaspoons of oil

See more oil equivalents.

In general, try to use oils instead of solid fats, such as butter or lard, which are high in saturated fat. Saturated fats occur naturally in some foods, but they are also added to foods such as baked goods and potato chips. To lower the saturated fat in your diet, eat low-fat or fat-free dairy products, choose cuts of meat with less fat, and remove the skin from chicken. Reading the Nutrition Facts label can help you keep track of how much saturated fat you consume.

Limit the consumption of foods high in added sugar, which include sweetened cereals, highly processed snack foods such as cookies and cakes, dairy desserts, and many items marketed as low-fat. Read the ingredient list to see if the food you are eating has added sugar. Some key words to look for: brown sugar, corn sweetener, corn syrup, dextrose, fructose, and high-fructose corn syrup.

Beverages

Although many beverages can be part of a healthy eating pattern, some add calories without adding nutritional value and you should avoid them. Beverages that are calorie-free — especially water — or that contribute beneficial nutrients, such as fat-free and low-fat milk and 100% juice, should be the primary beverages you consume.

Coffee and tea. Drinking coffee or tea barely provides any calories unless you add sugar or cream, which are not nutrient-dense and should be consumed in moderation. Be cautious when ordering drinks from coffee shops because these are often loaded with extra sugars and fats.

Sweetened beverages. Examples of beverages that often have added sugars are soda, fruit drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks, and sweetened waters. Most sweetened beverages do not contribute to meeting food group goals and often contain a high number of calories.

Alcohol. Alcohol is not nutrient-dense and is not part of the healthy eating patterns recommended in the Dietary Guidelines. If you consume alcohol, do so in moderation, defined as one drink or less per day for women and two drinks or less per day for men.

Calories from sugars, saturated fats, and drinks can add up quickly. As these foods provide no nutritional benefit, they should only be consumed on occasion and in limited amounts.

To learn more, please visit https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/healthy-eating-nutrition-and-diet/healthy-eating-you-age-know-your-food-groups.

Carter Nursing and Rehabilitation is excited to share resident Charles Bridgman’s Success Story!

Charles joined our community in September 2024 following an illness and hospitalization that left him weak and in need of extensive assistance for self-care and mobility. Despite facing setbacks and additional hospitalizations, Charles’s determination never wavered. With the support of our incredible therapy team and staff at Carter Nursing and Rehab, Charles worked hard and is now ready to return home with his wife – just in time to enjoy the holidays! We are so proud of you, Mr. Bridgman, and grateful to have been part of your journey. Wishing you all the best as you continue your recovery at home!

Older adults need about the same amount of sleep as all adults—7 to 9 hours each night. But, older people tend to go to sleep earlier and get up earlier than they did when they were younger.

There are many reasons why older people may not get enough sleep at night. Feeling sick or being in pain can make it hard to sleep. Some medicines can keep you awake. No matter the reason, if you don’t get a good night’s sleep, the next day you may:

• Be irritable
• Have memory problems or be forgetful
• Feel depressed
• Have more falls or accidents

Get a Good Night’s Sleep

Being older doesn’t mean you have to be tired all the time. You can do many things to help you get a good night’s sleep. Here are some ideas:

• Follow a regular sleep schedule. Go to sleep and get up at the same time each day, even on weekends or when you are traveling.
• Avoid napping in the late afternoon or evening, if you can. Naps may keep you awake at night.
• Develop a bedtime routine. Take time to relax before bedtime each night. Some people read a book, listen to soothing music, or soak in a warm bath.
• Try not to watch television or use your computer, cell phone, or tablet in the bedroom. The light from these devices may make it difficult for you to fall asleep. And alarming or unsettling shows or movies, like horror movies, may keep you awake.
• Keep your bedroom at a comfortable temperature, not too hot or too cold, and as quiet as possible.
• Use low lighting in the evenings and as you prepare for bed.
• Exercise at regular times each day but not within 3 hours of your bedtime.
• Avoid eating large meals close to bedtime—they can keep you awake.
• Stay away from caffeine late in the day. Caffeine (found in coffee, tea, soda, and chocolate) can keep you awake.
• Remember—alcohol won’t help you sleep. Even small amounts make it harder to stay asleep.

Insomnia Is Common in Older Adults

Insomnia is the most common sleep problem in adults age 60 and older. People with this condition have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. Insomnia can last for days, months, and even years. Having trouble sleeping can mean you:

• Take a long time to fall asleep
• Wake up many times in the night
• Wake up early and are unable to get back to sleep
• Wake up tired
• Feel very sleepy during the day

Often, being unable to sleep becomes a habit. Some people worry about not sleeping even before they get into bed. This may make it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep.

Some older adults who have trouble sleeping may use over-the-counter sleep aids. Others may use prescription medicines to help them sleep. These medicines may help when used for a short time. But remember, medicines aren’t a cure for insomnia.

Developing healthy habits at bedtime may help you get a good night’s sleep.

Sleep Apnea

People with sleep apnea have short pauses in breathing while they are asleep. These pauses may happen many times during the night. If not treated, sleep apnea can lead to other problems, such as high blood pressure, stroke, or memory loss.

You can have sleep apnea and not even know it. Feeling sleepy during the day and being told you are snoring loudly at night could be signs that you have sleep apnea.

If you think you have sleep apnea, see a doctor who can treat this sleep problem. You may need to learn to sleep in a position that keeps your airways open. Treatment using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device almost always helps people with sleep apnea. A dental device or surgery may also help.

Movement Disorders and Sleep

Restless legs syndrome, periodic limb movement disorder, and rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder are common in older adults. These movement disorders can rob you of needed sleep.

People with restless legs syndrome, or RLS, feel like there is tingling, crawling, or pins and needles in one or both legs. This feeling is worse at night. See your doctor for more information about medicines to treat RLS.

Periodic limb movement disorder, or PLMD, causes people to jerk and kick their legs every 20 to 40 seconds during sleep. Medication, warm baths, exercise, and relaxation exercises can help.

Rapid eye movement, or REM, sleep behavior disorder is another condition that may make it harder to get a good night’s sleep. During normal REM sleep, your muscles cannot move, so your body stays still. But, if you have REM sleep behavior disorder, your muscles can move and your sleep is disrupted.

Alzheimer’s Disease and Sleep—A Special Problem

Alzheimer’s disease often changes a person’s sleeping habits. Some people with Alzheimer’s disease sleep too much; others don’t sleep enough. Some people wake up many times during the night; others wander or yell at night.

The person with Alzheimer’s disease isn’t the only one who loses sleep. Caregivers may have sleepless nights, leaving them tired for the challenges they face.

If you’re caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease, take these steps to make him or her safer and help you sleep better at night:

• Make sure the floor is clear of objects.
• Lock up any medicines.
• Attach grab bars in the bathroom.
• Place a gate across the stairs.

Safe Sleep for Older Adults

Try to set up a safe and restful place to sleep. Make sure you have smoke alarms on each floor of your home. Before going to bed, lock all windows and doors that lead outside. Other ideas for a safe night’s sleep are:

• Keep a telephone with emergency phone numbers by your bed.
• Have a lamp within reach that is easy to turn on.
• Put a glass of water next to the bed in case you wake up thirsty.
• Don’t smoke, especially in bed.
• Remove area rugs so you won’t trip if you get out of bed during the night.

Tips to Help You Fall Asleep

You may have heard about some tricks to help you fall asleep. You don’t really have to count sheep—you could try counting slowly to 100. Some people find that playing mental games makes them sleepy. For example, tell yourself it is 5 minutes before you have to get up, and you’re just trying to get a little bit more sleep.

Some people find that relaxing their bodies puts them to sleep. One way to do this is to imagine your toes are completely relaxed, then your feet, and then your ankles are completely relaxed. Work your way up the rest of your body, section by section. You may drift off to sleep before getting to the top of your head.

Use your bedroom only for sleeping. After turning off the light, give yourself about 20 minutes to fall asleep. If you’re still awake and not drowsy, get out of bed. When you feel sleepy, go back to bed.

If you feel tired and unable to do your activities for more than 2 or 3 weeks, you may have a sleep problem. Talk with your doctor about changes you can make to get a better night’s sleep.

To learn more, please visit https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/sleep/good-nights-sleep#sleep-and-aging.

Carter Nursing and Rehabilitation, in partnership with Reliant Rehabilitation, is thrilled to celebrate resident Loretta Hall’s inspiring Success Story!

After an illness and hospitalization left her unable to care for herself at home, Loretta joined our community. With determination and the support of her dedicated Care and Therapy Teams, Loretta worked tirelessly toward her goal of regaining independence. Her hard work paid off, and Loretta was able to return home independently—right back to her beloved dog, Cheezy, who she missed so much. We are so proud of Loretta’s journey and honored to have been a part of her recovery!

The common cold, flu, and COVID-19 all have similar symptoms. Knowing the signs of a cold, the flu, and COVID-19 can help keep you and your loved ones safe.

These are common signs, but your symptoms may be more or less severe, or you may only have a few. If you feel sick, stay home and call your doctor to discuss how you’re feeling and whether you need to get tested. Older adults are more likely to become seriously ill from the flu and COVID-19. Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent some of these diseases.

• Common symptoms of a cold include sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, and cough.
• Common symptoms of the flu include fever and/or chills, headache, muscle pain or body aches, feeling tired or weak, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, vomiting, and diarrhea.
• Common symptoms of COVID-19 include fever and/or chills, headache, muscle pain or body aches, feeling tired or weak, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, vomiting and diarrhea, and change in or loss of taste or smell.

To learn more, please visit https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/covid-19/it-cold-flu-or-covid-19

Carter Nursing and Rehabilitation, in partnership with Reliant Rehabilitation, is excited to celebrate Judy Porter’s Success Story!

After an illness left her debilitated and dependent on assistance for daily care, Mrs. Porter came to Carter Nursing and Rehabilitation determined to regain her independence. With her unwavering determination and the dedicated support of our dedicated rehabilitation and Care Team, Judy achieved her goal of returning home. Congratulations to Judy and her Care Team on their success!

Carter Nursing and Rehabilitation is excited to share resident John Slone’s Success Story!

Mr. Slone came to us after an illness and hospitalization left him unable to care for himself at home. With the support of his wonderful family, who entrusted us with his care and rehabilitation, John worked hard and dedicated himself to his recovery. We are thrilled to share that he has successfully returned home, stronger than ever, with his family’s support! Congratulations to John and his Care Team on their success!

Carter Nursing and Rehabilitation, in partnership with Reliant Rehabilitation, is excited to share resident Mr. Morgan’s Success Story!

Mr. Morgan came to Carter community after an illness and hospitalization that left him unable to return home independently. He says he is grateful to the Care Team and Therapy Team at Carter for helping him regain his strength and independence. He says he loves his home and cannot wait to get back there. He promises he will be back to visit. Congratulations to Mr. Morgan and his Care Team on their success!

Your patients bring diverse backgrounds, customs, abilities, and experiences to their health care. Some differences are apparent, while others are not. Factors that contribute to diversity include:

• Geographic and cultural background
• Race and ethnicity
• Age
• Gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation
• Preferred language(s)
• Religious and family traditions
• Education and socioeconomic background
• Neurodiversity
• Cognitive, sensory, and physical abilities

Recognizing and appreciating diversity is an essential part of patient-centered care. It can lead to improved patient safety, more open communication, increased health equity, and better patient outcomes. By respecting each patient’s values and preferences, you’ll be more likely to engage them as collaborative partners in their care.

How is diversity related to health?

A patient’s culture and background will affect whether and where they seek health care, their understanding of medical information, and how they make health care decisions. Recognizing the different health issues your older patients are likely to face, as well as the factors that contribute to these differences, will help you provide the most effective care.

Many complex and interacting factors, lifelong and current, underlie disparities in health risk and disease burden. These factors include:

• Unequal access to health care services
• Availability of social support
• Neighborhood and workplace environments
• Food availability and accessibility
• Wealth and income gaps
• Racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination

Age-related health disparities affect the health of older adults. For example:

• NIA-funded researchers have found a higher prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease among African Americans and Hispanics than among other racial and ethnic groups in the United States.
• Prostate cancer has higher incidence and mortality rates, as well as an earlier average age of onset, in non-Hispanic Black men compared with men of other backgrounds.

Scientists have also observed sex and gender differences in health and longevity. For example, women live longer than men, on average. They are also more likely to develop osteoporosis or depressive symptoms and to report functional limitations as they age. Men, on the other hand, are more likely to develop heart disease, cancer, or diabetes.

Other studies have found that lower socioeconomic status is associated with poorer health and reduced lifespan in the United States. Economic circumstances can determine whether an individual can afford quality health care and proper nutrition from early life into old age. Financial resources and health insurance often determine whether an older adult enters an assisted living facility or nursing home or stays at home to be cared for by family members.

Health care workforce diversity is important

Providers representing a variety of backgrounds and cultures can help meet the health needs of an increasingly diverse population. Some patients feel more comfortable with health care providers who share or understand their language, race, ethnicity, or other cultural characteristics. Research suggests that a diverse health care workforce may also improve patient satisfaction, patient-clinician communication, and access to care.

Communicating with a diverse patient population

Your conversational style can be a subtle but powerful way to connect with your patients. Being thoughtful about how you communicate with each individual can promote understanding, trust, and satisfaction in the patient-provider relationship.

Practical tips for effective communication include:

• Ask patients which name and other descriptive terms they prefer and use those consistently. This small effort can go a long way toward making patients feel welcome, safe, and accepted.
• Use person-first language. This language avoids defining someone by their condition or disability (e.g., people with diabetes instead of diabetics).
• Try to match your communication style to that of your patient. Conventions such as the speed and volume of speech vary across cultures. To some people, interrupting an individual who is speaking is acceptable and even expected, while it is considered rude and off-putting to others. 
• Use plain language. Avoid using medical terminology or abbreviations that your patients might not understand. Remember that certain idioms and figures of speech in English may be unfamiliar or confusing to people who have a different primary language.
• Be aware of nonverbal communication (such as hand gestures) that may have a different meaning to patients from different backgrounds. People also differ in the amount of eye contact, smiling, touching, and physical distance that are comfortable.

Tailoring how you talk with patients can help them better understand the information you are providing. Communicating in a way that makes your patients feel comfortable may help them open up about their health concerns and be more receptive to your guidance.

Providing language assistance in health care settings

Overcoming language barriers is critical for effective patient-provider communication. It allows for mutual understanding, informed decision-making, and better quality of care.

In any type of health care setting, you are likely to encounter patients with a primary language other than English. Here are several ways to support these patients:

• Identify the main languages spoken by your patient population and, whenever possible, match patients with qualified bilingual staff or have other trained medical interpretation services available.
• Start appointments by asking all new patients which language they prefer to speak and read, and whether they would like an interpreter. An “I Speak” card (PDF, 4.6M) can help patients identify their preferred language. Note preferences in their medical records.
• Provide important written materials in your patients’ preferred languages. For example, have office signage, intake and consent forms, prescription labels, and patient instructions available in multiple languages when possible. NIA provides health information for older adults in both English and Spanish as well as links to resources in other languages.
• Maintain a list of referrals to local clinicians and community service providers who speak your patients’ preferred languages, when available.

It can be logistically challenging to provide language assistance services. As a result, some clinicians rely on interpretation by patients’ family members or on bilingual staff members who are untrained in medical interpretation. However, experts strongly discourage this practice. An informal interpreter may be unable to convey medical terminology accurately, may inadvertently misinterpret information, or may be reluctant to share difficult news. Informal interpretation can also interfere with patient privacy.

Using qualified medical interpreters can improve communication, understanding, clinical outcomes, and patient satisfaction with care. Trained interpreters will help ensure that everything said during a medical appointment is relayed accurately and objectively. This checklist (PDF, 207K) provides tips for working with an interpreter.

Providing language assistance isn’t just good medical practice: In some cases, it’s also required by law. Federal policies require health care providers who receive government funds, such as Medicare and Medicaid payments, to make interpretive services and written translations of critical documents available at no cost to people with limited English proficiency. Visit LEP.gov for details about these requirements.

Some states have professional associations and foundations that may provide funding for medical interpreters. Additionally, Medicaid offers reimbursement for some medical interpretation services.

If you are looking for a qualified medical interpreter, the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters and the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters have online registries of certified interpreters. The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf provides a searchable list of certified interpreters in American Sign Language. Many state government websites also provide directories of interpreters and translators to help you locate services in your area.

Tips for culturally sensitive care

How can you work with your patients in a way that respects their diversity? To start, avoid making assumptions about a person’s beliefs, attitudes, or behaviors based on their culture or background. Instead, engage with patients to find out about their individual values and preferences.

Additional ideas for providing culturally sensitive care include:

• Reflect on your own background, beliefs, and values, and consider how they inform your practice. For example, think about your own feelings about aging and how they might influence your interactions with your older patients.
• Get to know the community that you serve. What are the most common racial and ethnic groups? Which languages do they speak? What health, social, and environmental issues do they face? Adapt programs and health care practices so they are appropriate to the groups you serve most often.
• Recognize that a healthy diet plan may differ among cultural traditions. Patients will have difficulty following dietary advice if it doesn’t take their food preferences and cooking methods into account. The Nutrition.gov Culture and Food page provides nutrition guidance, food options, and recipes from around the world.
• Understand that some patients may value having other family members involved in their health care decisions. Clarify how the patient sees the role of family and any specific information they want shared with relatives.
• For patients nearing the end of life, ask about their health care goals. There may be cultural or religious differences in attitudes toward end-of-life decision-making, such as creating advance directives; disclosing a terminal diagnosis to the sick person or family members; and pursuing life-prolonging treatments, such as a feeding tube.

Different beliefs about aging

People from different cultures and traditions have varied attitudes about aging. For example, in some cultures, older adults are customarily respected for their wisdom and experience. Other cultures tend to be more youth-centered, valuing the qualities of youth over those of old age.

When societies prefer youth over old age, it can lead to ageism. This often underrecognized form of discrimination comprises stereotypes and prejudices directed toward people on the basis of their age. Ageism has serious implications for the health of older people: Studies have associated age-based discrimination with poorer physical and mental health, reduced quality of life, and even earlier death.

Because ageism is so pervasive, it’s easy for well-intentioned health care providers to make assumptions about their older patients and inadvertently reinforce harmful stereotypes. For example, patients and their providers may dismiss otherwise treatable health problems as an inevitable part of aging. As a result, older patients may suffer preventable discomfort and disability.

For tips on avoiding ageism when talking with your patients, see the World Health Organization’s Quick Guide to Avoid Ageism in Communication.

Clinical research needs diversity

It is important for clinical trials and studies to include a diverse range of participants so the results will have broader applicability. Researchers need older adults from many different backgrounds to participate in research so they can learn more about how new drugs, tests, and other interventions will work in diverse populations.

Clinical research also needs scientists from diverse backgrounds, particularly from groups that have been historically underrepresented. Diversity in scientific teams can lead to more creative and innovative thinking, which can help biomedical research represent and benefit people from all backgrounds.

To learn more, please visit https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/health-care-professionals-information/providing-care-diverse-older-adult-population.