**The following post is from my guest blogger, Natalie Langley, MSW.  She is a Geriatric Care Research Analyst for SCANS (for more on SCANS, please see Eric Tinsley's blog by clicking here).**

Nutrition and eating right are important components to keeping us all healthy.  But what happens when a chronic illness such as diabetes, congestive heart failure, or cancer is brought into the picture?  Having a chronic illness may mean taking a few more steps to ensure the older adult is getting the appropriate nutrients daily.  Making sure that all the key nutrients are a part of your diet can actually help you stay healthy, fight off infections, and feel stronger.  Even making simple changes such as removing the salt shaker from the dining room table can help reduce the amount of salt you put on food, therefore, reducing the sodium level for someone who has Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).  Other nutrition tips can be found on the web resources below for individuals who have chronic illnesses.  If you notice you are losing weight (10 pounds or more) involuntarily over a 6 month period, please check with your primary care provider.  In addition, before making any changes in your diet, always consult with your primary care provider. 

American Heart Association
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=1444

American Cancer Society – Recipes high in calories and easy to eat
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MBC/content/MBC_6_1_Recipes.asp

American Lung Association – Eating well with COPD
http://www.lungusa.org/site/c.dvLUK9O0E/b.3529631/#eating 

American Diabetes Association
http://www.diabetes.org 

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
http://www2.niddk.nih.gov/ 

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
http://www.niams.nih.gov/