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With new Medicare coverage, doctors and dieticians encouraged to screen elderly for nutritional needsBy: the ranking member of the U.S. senate Special committee on aging January 16, 2001 (WASHINGTON, DC) U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, is encouraging doctors to discuss nutrition with their elderly patients. "Many older Americans are at higher risk of suffering from poor nutrition, and a poor diet can dramatically jeopardize their health," Craig said. "I encourage doctors to discuss nutrition with their patients, and if your doctor doesn't mention nutrition, I encourage all seniors to ask their doctor for advice on what to eat and what to avoid." In the past, a lack of Medicare coverage prevented some consumers from receiving nutritional guidance. But effective this month, a change in the Medicare law provides coverage for medical nutrition therapy for beneficiaries with diabetes or kidney disease. Seniors can now receive that type of counseling from certified dieticians. "I was pleased to support the legislation that created this important benefit and I'm now working on a bill to extend nutritional counseling to those on Medicare with cardiovascular disease," Craig said. "By integrating nutrition counseling into the routine health care experience of older Americans, we have an opportunity to improve the lives of millions of people, and the chance to save the country potentially billions of dollars." Studies by the American Dietetic Association (ADA) have found that every dollar spent on nutrition screening and intervention saves at least $3.25. "A three to one return on investment is significant, especially when you consider that we spend 99 percent of Medicare dollars on the treatment of chronic conditions. The use of nutrition in the treatment of long-term illnesses could achieve a significant cost savings for taxpayers," Craig said. To help physicians and seniors better understand the nutritional needs of those suffering from chronic diseases, a recently released guidebook is available on line at the American Academy of Family Physicians website, located at http://www.aafp.org. Printed versions of the booklets will soon be distributed to doctors nationwide. Links: American Academy of Family Physicians: http://www.aafp.org FDA nutrition guidelines for seniors: http://www.helpguide.org/life/senior_nutrition.htm American Dietetic Association: http://www.eatright.org/ U.S. Senator Larry Craig, Ranking Member and former chairman of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging. Craig_AgingNews@aging.senate.gov For more information about the Committee, please check out our website at http://aging.senate.gov. |
