Implementation of a nutritional programme in elderly people admitted to resident homes.

AIM

The aim was to test the hypothesis that education provided to staff regarding nutritional needs and individualizing nutritional care will improve the nutritional status and functional capacity of elderly people newly admitted to resident homes.

DESIGN

Pre- and posttest, quasi experimental.

SETTING

Resident homes.

SUBJECTS

Sixty-two residents (20 men, 42 women) in the experimental group and 53 (14 men, 39 women) in the control group were consecutively included. Mean age was 85 years.

METHODS

On admission and after 4 months, nutritional status was assessed using a combination of anthropometry (weight index, arm muscle circumference and triceps skinfold thickness) and biochemical measurements (serum albumin and transthyretin). Functional capacity and overall cognitive function were also assessed. In the experimental unit, the staff received education about nutritional needs and individualized nutritional care.

RESULTS

After 4 months the number of residents assessed as protein energy malnourished decreased from 20 to seven in the experimental (p = 0.004), and from 17 to 10 in the control group (p = 0.1). In the experimental group, motor activity (p = 0.006) and cognitive function (p = 0.02) increased. In the control group, motor activity decreased (p = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that the intervention had effects, as the number of protein energy malnourished residents decreased in the experimental group and motor activity and cognitive function improved. No such improvements were seen in the control group.

© 2009 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2009 Nordic College of Caring Science.