The increased proportion of geriatric clients necessitates education about nutrition and aging. Nutrition education programs need to be structured for the elderly and caretakers of this population. Teaching methods should be designed in accordance with anatomical and physiological changes of aging and health care concerns of the elderly. A series of nutrition education programs were developed for patients and nursing staff in the Nursing Home and Intermediate Care Unit at the VA Medical Center East Orange, N.J. Programs presented by dietetic staff to nursing personnel included, "Creating a Positive Feeding Environment," "The Aging Digestive System," and "Common Nutritional Deficiencies in the Elderly." The programs presented to the geriatric clients included "Laxative Use and Abuse," "You're Never Too Old To Help Yourself to Good Health," and "Fluid Imbalances." Interaction between the dietitian and nursing staff fosters a multidisciplinary approach to problem control in the elderly. Health awareness and the self-help concept enables elderly clients to work towards problem control in conjunction with the health care team.