As we age, healthy eating habits become even more important, as our hearts, kidneys, bones, brains, and other body systems need more help functioning properly. For example, a new car right off the assembly line doesn't need much attention, but that classic car you have may need some special attention if you want it to keep running properly. However, the simple analogies stop there. 

Our bodies are much more complex systems, and for older adults, changes in physical and mental health, such as a loss of appetite or a sense of thirst, difficulty chewing or swallowing, depression, chronic disease, and disability can present challenges to eating well. So can one's financial and living situations. What's more, older adults are particularly vulnerable to the effects of malnutrition. Studies have shown that older adults facing hunger are 53% more likely to report a heart attack, 40% more likely to report congestive heart failure, and 60% more likely to experience depression than older adults who are food secure.  

What's more, as we get older, what we eat may need to change, as the need for energy intake (calories) may go down, while the need for food more rich in nutrients increases. Experts say you should avoid processed foods, eat vegetables like spinach, kale, and collards, and get more protein by eating fish, lean beef, skinless chicken, and low-fat milk and yogurt.

And it's not just about what you eat, it's about how you eat. Experts say to maintain a regular eating schedule and avoid skipping meals. They also suggest eating with others when possible, which can help those experiencing depression and loneliness. And that's a big problem. Nearly 25 percent of older adults in our area live alone -- and in Charlottesville, it's nearly 30 percent.

At JABA's Community Centers and Respite & Enrichment Centers, not only do lunch and snack times provide members with healthy food, but gathering together for a meal is one of the things that members say they enjoy most. And that's also a great relief to their loved ones and caregivers. 

For those seniors living at home, and perhaps isolated by a disability (nearly 30 percent of older adults in our area have a disability) or without access to transportation, not only can it be difficult to cook as they once did, getting to the grocery store, especially in rural locations, can be challenging. Oftentimes these situations sneak up on people and it can be scary. An unexpected health issue, a fall, the inability to drive, no family or caregivers nearby, and suddenly it's not possible to prepare food for themselves or a partner. A few weeks might go by, perhaps a month, and suddenly they are at risk of serious malnutrition. That's why programs like Meals on Wheels and JABA's Home Delivered Meals can be such lifesavers, even if it's just a supplement to cooking at home.  

Finally, for many older adults in our area, poverty denies them access to the food they need. Over 4,000 older adults in our area are living in poverty and nearly 2,000 older adults collect Food Stamps/SNAP benefits. Fortunately, programs like Meals on Wheels and JABA's Home Delivered Meals deliver meals for free or at reduced costs, and area food banks, farmer's markets, and pantries have programs for seniors. Numerous churches in our area also provide meals regularly. 

As we celebrate Senior Nutrition Month, take a moment to consider your own diet, or how an older adult in your life may be eating. Do their clothes look looser? Does their face look gaunt? Are they feeling depressed or lonely? Older adults often aren't comfortable admitting they are having difficulty providing food for themselves or maybe ignoring their loss of appetite, so a gentle reminder or a lunch or dinner offer may be the nourishment they need.

David McNair handles communications, media relations, and social media efforts for JABA.

This article originally appeared in C-Ville.