Tea and toast syndrome is a common form of malnutrition in older adults who are unable to prepare meals for themselves, and so their diet is limited to tea and toast, resulting in vitamin and other nutrient deficiencies. This syndrome often manifests as hyponatremia due to a lack of salt in the diet. This syndrome often occurs when children move out of the home or when a spouse dies or is near death. An older adult who is left alone with no one to prepare food for him or her and lacks the skills to prepare food for himself will resort to a diet of simple foods such as bread, cheese, crackers, and canned foods. According to the New York Times, up to 60 percent of older adults living at home are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition. In addition to the problems caused by nutritional deficiencies, this condition means that complications from other illnesses, even the common cold, can be extremely dangerous. Factors that lead to this syndrome include social isolation, psychological problems such as depression, illnesses, and physical limitations. The increasing number of medications that older adults take can affect eating habits, although this is a less serious factor than psychological problems. However, these medications can reduce appetite, change the taste of food, or affect the way nutrients are absorbed, making it difficult for older adults to get the nutrients they need. Typical laboratory findings for tea-and-toast syndrome include low serum osmolality with normal urine osmolality, because antidiuretic hormone levels are normal.