Nutrition education for care staff and possible effects on nutritional status in residents of sheltered accommodation.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated the nutritional, cognitive and functional status in residents of two service-flat (SF) complexes and the effects of a nutrition education programme for care staff.


METHODS
Controlled nonrandomised study.


METHODS
Two SF complexes, that is community-assisted accommodation.


METHODS
Of 115 eligible SF residents, 80 subjects participated (age 83+/-7 y, 70% women).


METHODS
The nutritional status was assessed using body mass index (BMI, kg/m(2)), subjective global assessment (SGA), serum concentrations of albumin, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and vitamin B(12). Cognitive and functional status were evaluated using the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE, 0-30 points, <24 points indicates impaired cognition) and the Katz activities of daily living (ADL) index, respectively. Two assessments were made with a 5-month interval. At the start, a 12-h education programme was given to the staff at one of the SF complexes.


RESULTS
At baseline, the means of BMI and the biochemical nutritional indices were normal, whereas one-third had BMI <22 kg/m(2) and one-fourth had lost > or =10% of previous weight. According to SGA, 30% demonstrated possible or serious malnutrition. The median MMSE was 23 points (19.5-26.5, 25-75th percentile). Nearly 70% were ADL-independent. At the 5-month follow-up there were no differences in the nutritional and cognitive status of the residents. The nutritional knowledge of the staff improved slightly (P<0.05) at both SF complexes (NS between groups).


CONCLUSIONS
Around one-third of SF residents appeared to be at nutritional risk. Five months after a 12-h staff nutrition education programme, no objective changes were seen in the nutritional status of the SF residents.
Faxén-Irving
G
G
Department of Neurotec, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden. gerd.faxen-irving@karolinska.se
Andrén-Olsson
B
B
Geijerstam
A
A
Basun
H
H
Cederholm
T
T
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D016852:Housing for the Elderly; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education*; D009752:Nutritional Status; D013192:Staff Development