Nutritional Risk: A Comparison of Clients Entering A Home-delivered Meals Program and Those Receiving Meals For ≥6 Months

Abstract

LEARNING OUTCOME: To identity differences between new clients before they begin receiving home-delivered meals and clients who have been receiving meals for six or more months. The purpose of this study was to compare nutritional risk of new clients (NCs) who were to start receiving home-delivered meals (HDMs) and existing clients (ECs), who had been receiving meals for ≥6 months. Using a form based on the Determine Your Nutritional Health checklist developed by the Nutrition Screening Initiative, 202 NCs (age=79±9.4 years) and 251 ECs (age=82±7.9 years) were screened. More than two-thirds of both groups reported eating most of their meals alone and using ≥3 kinds of medications each day. More NCs (44%) than ECs (15%) scored at high risk ( P<0.0001). More NCs reported a recent, unintentional change in weight ( P<0.0001). More ECs reported consuming ≥1 servings of dairy products and ≥2 servings of fruits and vegetables each day ( P0.0001). Although ECs were older, they were more likely to rate their health “as good as” or “better than” others their age ( P<0.0001). NCs were more likely to report an inability to cook for themselves, and days when they ate only one meal or did not eat at all ( P<0.001). In addition, NCs were likelier to describe having changed the amount of food they eat due to an illness or condition, and lacking the money to buy needed food ( P<0.01). Fewer NCs reported being able to shop for groceries without assistance ( P<0.05). The inability to cook or shop for themselves and a lack of money to buy groceries may contribute to missing meals. These results indicate the contribution that HDMs make in maintaining clients' body weight, an appropriate food intake (especially of dairy products, and fruits and vegetables), and a better perception of their own health despite advancing age. Identifying conditions that affect the nutritional status of independent-living elderly can aid in keeping older adults in their own homes and guide the development of public policy. (Supported by a grant from the North Central Connecticut Area Agency on Aging)