The Importance of Proper Nutrition for Older Vermonters 

According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), for people with certain chronic conditions, proper nutrition is more than just a good idea—it’s an essential part of managing many health problems like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, and more.

Poor nutrition increases the risk for serious health problems and is a key factor in the development of chronic illness. Older adults with chronic illnesses are especially at risk for poor nutrition, which can happen because of loss of appetite, aging, limited mobility, bone loss, and a lack of understanding for healthy meal development and good food choices.

The nutrition services provided by the NEK Council on Aging are available to area older Vermonters to help educate them on healthy eating and to help prevent the onset of chronic disease due to malnutrition. Their nutritional team works with clients throughout the NEK to assist with reading nutrition labeling, food safety, understanding weight loss/gain, cooking for one on a simple budget, hydration, meal planning, and connecting clients to long-term nutritional support.

“Our older clients don’t realize that as we age, we face difficulties staying hydrated, our metabolism and energy levels change, issues crop up with the GI tract, and our ability to fight infection is reduced,” said Lallie Mambourg, Director of Nutrition at the NEK Council on Aging. “Learning about and incorporating steps to ensure proper nutrition is so important in building healthy individuals and families.”

The nutrition team at the Council is led by Mambourg who is joined by nutrition consultants, Maire Folan, MS RD, LD and Alicia Armstrong RDN, LD CDE. Folan and Armstrong work for other area health organizations including Northern Counties Health Care and Green Mountain Farm to School. Most of the services provided by the team are free of charge.

“Maire (pronounced Maura) and Alicia assist the Council in the development of all community dining and Meals on Wheels meals, and work with our clients and their families for person-centered nutrition support. They are professional Registered Dietitians and Alicia is a Certified Diabetes Educator. This level of support is wonderful for our area older Vermonters and I am grateful to have them on our team,” said Mambourg.

The nutrition program at the Council is part of a larger effort focusing on the wellbeing of older Vermonters. Other key nutritional partners are the Vermont Food Bank and 3SquaresVT, a federal USDA program (called SNAP nationally) that helps those 60 and older obtain healthy and nutritious foods every day.

To obtain information regarding nutrition services at the Council, call the Helpline at (800) 642-5119 or visit the Nutrition section on the website www.NEKCouncil.org.