Vision impairment is a risk factor for malnutrition in older long-term care residents

To examine how vision is associated with nutritional status in long-term residents.

Voluntary residents of 47 assisted-living facilities and 7 nursing homes, including 2513 permanent long-term care residents (age ≥ 65 years) were examined by trained nurses about various health-related aspects. Nutritional status was assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment long version and vision was estimated using a question from 15D-health-related quality of life questionnaire.

18% of the participants were characterised by having vision impairment. Vision impairment was independently associated with residents' malnutrition (OR 1.62, 95% [1.22, 2.15], p < .001). Chewing problems (OR 2.78, 95% [2.18, 3.55], p < .001) and Clinical Dementia Rating memory item (OR 2.20, 95% [1.68, 2.87], p < .001) were also associated with malnutrition.

Vision impairment was associated with malnutrition, problems with oral health and poorer cognition. Vision impairment should be addressed when managing nutrition in this vulnerable population.