Evaluation of strategies to improve nutrition in people with dementia in an assessment unit.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate strategies designed to improve nutrition in elderly hospitalised patients with dementia.


METHODS
Observation phase followed by sequential interventions.


METHODS
A Short stay assessment unit.


METHODS
Hospital Inpatients with a variety of conditions causing dementia.


METHODS
Phase 1: Observation. Phase 2: Encouraging dietary, 'Grazing'. Phase 3: Using volunteers to feed patients. Phase 4: Improving dining room ambience by playing soothing music.


METHODS
Body Mass Index (BMI), mid arm circumference, mini nutrition index and caloric intake by plate waste measurement.


RESULTS
BMI fell in the Observation phase 0.6 +/- 0.68 kg/m2 (p < 0.001), but increased in each of the Intervention phases. Phase2 0.3 +/- 0.86 kg/m2 (p < 0.04), Phase 3 0.37 +/- 0.4 kg/m2 (p < 0.04), Phase 4 0.39 +/- 0.7 kg/m2 (p < 0.007). Caloric intake increased in the intervention phases.


CONCLUSIONS
Simple, inexpensive and easy to implement strategies can improve nutrition in hospital inpatients with dementia.
Wong
A
A
Christchurch School of Medicine & Health Sciences, New Zealand.
Burford
S
S
Wyles
C L
CL
Mundy
H
H
Sainsbury
R
R
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D003704:Dementia / Q000150:complications*; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005521:Food Service, Hospital / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D009735:Nursing Homes; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009752:Nutritional Status; D016896:Treatment Outcome