Importance of Nutrition in the Elderly

Underwriting weight loss in the elderly is a critical , but often overlooked, factor of risk assessment. Clinicians in practice have seen the impact on their patients mortality first hand, they know that the picture of a robust elderly patient is one with a good appetite and exercise routine. Those that are prone to "frailty", reflecting a poor appetite, weight loss, and reduced activity levels are quick to decline in health and succumb to death earlier-even when overt medical impairments are not present.

A recent study out of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) followed 298 elderly patients (ages 70-82) over nine years and established a direct link between nutrition, Daily Activity Energy Expenditure (DAEE) and early mortality. Those with healthy appetites, good activity levels, and general well being lived longer . It showed that subjective review of appetite can predict death even after accounting for all other variables - including health.

So, the next time your underwriter tells you that they are concerned with the weight loss, lack of activity, and general picture of a "frail" elderly person-than you must appreciate that you are working with a well informed underwriter-even if it does affect your ability to get a policy sold. As for those with life settlement concerns, if this is not a risk factor that your life expectancy underwriter focuses on, than you best consider getting with one that DOES take these critical factors into account-otherwise, you may as well just assume everyone lives to age 95 (as most portfolio's and LE providers indicate) or 120 (according to the 2008 VBT) !

Underwriting Abbreviation of the Day: TNTC-Too numerous to count

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