Why Are We Failing Our Elders at the Dinner Table?
In a world that prides itself on nutritional science and medical progress, why do so many older adults continue to suffer silently—malnourished, misunderstood, and medically overburdened?
Over 60% of India’s elderly are either malnourished or at high risk. And yet, geriatric nutrition remains a blind spot in public health. Slower metabolisms, multiple medications, cognitive decline, shrinking appetites—these are not just symptoms of aging, but signs of a deeper crisis that’s unfolding quietly across kitchens, hospital wards, and old age homes.
To unpack this invisible emergency, we speak with Dr. Gaurav Sharma, Consultant in Geriatric Medicine at AIG Hospitals, Hyderabad. An AIIMS alumnus and seasoned geriatrician, Dr. Sharma has worked across the care continuum—rural clinics, high-end hospitals, and global conferences—advocating for dignified, evidence-backed elder care.
We explore:
• What malnutrition in older adults really looks like
• How gut changes, oral health, and medications silently strip nutrients
• Why family norms and food taboos often cause more harm than help
• How nutrition links directly to dignity, independence, and longevity
• And what every caregiver must stop ignoring
If you are caring for an aging parent, grandparent, or planning your own older years, this conversation is both a wake-up call and a guide.
About Nutrition Every Day: A special podcast series by The Good Sight and Rise Against Hunger India, bringing sharp, grounded insights on health, food systems, and human dignity.
For feedback or to participate, write to us at contact@thegoodsight.org
Credits
Host: Shreya M
Guest: Dr. Gaurav Sharma
Research: Alisha C
Show Artwork: Rajnikant S
Produced by: The Good Sight
Concept: The Good Sight & Rise Against Hunger India
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