Institutional feeding of the elderly

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Clinical Nutrition
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• High prevalence of malnutrition in elderly individuals admitted to hospitals and institutions.
• Deterioration of nutritional status during hospital admission due to disease and inadequate catering/feeding policies.
• Significant food wastage and insufficient macro- and micronutrient intake observed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify factors contributing to malnutrition in institutionalized elderly patients.
• To evaluate strategies for improving nutritional intake and reducing food wastage.
• To review targets for nutritional intake and the aims of feeding in this population.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on elderly nutrition in institutional settings.
• Analysis of catering and feeding policies impacting patient intake.
• Evaluation of interventions to improve nutrient density and reduce food waste.

Main Results:

• Decreased portion size with increased energy, protein, and micronutrient density effectively reduces waste and improves intake in the elderly.
• Environmental improvements, medication review, eating assistance, and minimizing mealtime interruptions enhance nutritional intake.
• Current feeding policies often fail to meet the specific needs of sick elderly patients.

Conclusions:

• Addressing catering and feeding policies is crucial to combat malnutrition in elderly hospital patients.
• Implementing strategies like nutrient-dense meals and supportive feeding practices can significantly improve nutritional outcomes.
• Further research and policy changes are needed to ensure adequate nutrition for the elderly in institutional care.