Do family caregivers recognize malnutrition in the frail elderly?
OBJECTIVE
To determine if family caregivers are aware of the severely underweight elder's risk of malnutrition and accordingly increase nutritional care efforts.


METHODS
Case-control study.


METHODS
Familial caregivers to community-dwelling elders.


METHODS
Risk of malnutrition as defined by body mass index < or = 5th percentile of the national average for elders aged 65-90.


RESULTS
Compared with caregivers of elders without risk for malnutrition, caregivers to undernourished elders are significantly more likely to give elders protein supplements, to make foods accessible to elders, and to encourage and pressure the elder to eat.


CONCLUSIONS
Caregivers recognize gross signs of malnutrition in elders, increase nutritional care in response, and deserve some measure of support for their claims of health expertise.
Polisher Institute, Behavioral Research, Philadelphia Geriatric Center, PA 19141.
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Albert
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly; D006701:Home Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D011502:Protein-Energy Malnutrition / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing; D012307:Risk Factors