Nutrition screening practices in adult day care centers: a national survey

Older adults have been identified as one of the largest groups at risk of malnutrition in America and represent the target population of the Nutrition Screening Initiative. At the University of Delaware Adult Day Care Center, nutrition screening is an integral component of basic services provided to clients and their caregivers. To determine the extent of current nutrition screening practices in other adult day care centers, centers across the United States were surveyed. A total of 160 centers (53%) responded; 101 indicated nutrition screening was an on-going service. A number of differences and similarities in nutrition screening parameters was evident. Most centers responding assessed the following parameters: food intolerance, medical history, weight, height, swallowing difficulties, and bowel habits. Hematological parameters and other anthropometric measurements were evaluated with least frequency. Interest in nutrition screening appeared great. Further research should examine relationships between nutrition screening and other factors such as staffing patterns, center settings, and funding sources.