Nutritional Status and Health Outcomes for Older People with Dementia Living in Institutions

Aim. This paper is a report of a study to determine changes over a 3- month period among older people with dementia living in long-term care settings, related to: (1) changes in body mass index, and (2) health outcomes and associated factors. Background. Nutritional deficiencies are common problems among older people, but frequently unrecognized, both in long-term care settings and in the community. Method . A cross-sectional design with repeated measures of body weights and medical record reviews was adopted. The study was conducted in 2003 in two long-term care facilities for older people with dementia in Taiwan. Fifty-five residents participated in the study. Results. Eighteen percent of the residents were under-nourished (body mass index < 18.5). There was a trend toward decreasing body mass index over the 3-month study period. Residents with low body mass index tended to need assistance at mealtimes. Nineteen residents, many receiving naso-gastric tube-feeding, experienced adverse health events during the study period. Dependency in eating was the major factor differentiating residents with normal or low body mass index values , and also in distinguishing those who experienced adverse health outcomes . Conclusion. Assessment of eating ability, mode of feeding and measurement of body weight can be used by nurses in long -term care settings for early identification of the nutritional status of older people with dementia