[Recommendations for a nutritional approach in geriatric institutions]

A structured approach to the management of unintended weight loss or malnutrition in long-term care helps to facilitate a comprehensive resident evaluation. The "Clinical Guide to Prevent and Manage Malnutrition in Long-Term Care" is based on a best-evidence approach to the management of nutritional problems in long-term care. While the "Clinical Guides" are presented in a linear fashion, many of the considerations can be done simultaneously and the order varied dependent on the individual resident's needs. Further research to validate the effectiveness of using the algorithm in long-term care settings will be required. Prospective evaluation of outcomes using the Clinical Guides will be necessary to validate improvement in nutritional care and document its usefulness.