Abstract
Malnutrition, in particular protein-energy malnutrition, is a highly prevalent condition in older adults, and is associated with low muscle mass and function, and increased prevalence of physical frailty. Malnutrition is often exacerbated in the residential care setting due to factors including lack of dentition and appetite, and increased prevalence of dementia and dysphagia. This review aims to provide an overview of the available literature in older adults in the residential care setting regarding the following: links between sarcopenia, frailty, and malnutrition (in particular, protein-energy malnutrition (PEM)), recognition and diagnosis of malnutrition, factors contributing to PEM, and the effectiveness of different forms of protein supplementation (in particular, oral nutritional supplementation (ONS) and protein-fortified foods (PFF)) to target PEM. This review found a lack of consensus on effective malnutrition diagnostic tools and lack of universal requirement for malnutrition screening in the residential care setting, making identifying and treating malnutrition in this population a challenge. When assessing the use of protein supplementation in the residential care setting, the two primary forms of supplementation were ONS and PFF. There is evidence that ONS and PFF increase protein and energy intakes in residential care setting, yet compliance with supplementation and their impact on functional status is unclear and conflicting. Further research comparing the use of ONS and PFF is needed to fully determine feasibility and efficacy of protein supplementation in the residential care setting.
Highlights
Malnutrition is an increasing problem in older adults, those over 65 years of age (Elia and Russell, 2009) and residing in res idential living facilities (British Dietetic Association, 2017)
This review aims to provide an overview of the available literature in older adults in the residential care setting regarding the following: links between sarcopenia, frailty, and malnutrition (in particular, protein-energy malnutrition (PEM)), recognition and diagnosis of malnutrition, factors contributing to PEM, and the effectiveness of different forms of protein supplementation (in particular, oral nutritional supplementation (ONS) and protein-fortified foods (PFF)) to target PEM
Further research comparing the use of oral nutritional supplements (ONS) and PFF is needed to fully determine feasibility and efficacy of protein supplementation in the residential care setting
Summary
Malnutrition is an increasing problem in older adults, those over 65 years of age (Elia and Russell, 2009) and residing in res idential living facilities (British Dietetic Association, 2017). It has been reported that under-nutrition is a prominent issue in older adults in the residential care setting (Care Quality Commission, 2017; “NHS New Care Models: The framework for enhanced health in care homes,” 2016; Russell and Elia, 2015; Shepherd et al, 2017) This highlights the need to assess the most effective methods of increasing protein and energy intake in this setting in order to decrease malnutrition prevalence, in particular PEM. There is a clear need to explore and establish how much protein elderly adults in the residential care setting are currently receiving and consuming, which factors are influencing protein consumption in these individuals, and the effectiveness of pro tein supplementation to slow the rate of sarcopenia onset and development
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
