International Journal of Nursing Studies
Volume 41, Issue 3 , Pages 225-237, March 2004

Nutritional status of older people in long term care settings: current status and future directions

  • David T. Cowan

      Affiliations

    • Research Fellow, Ageing and Health Section, Florence Nightingale School of Nursing and Midwifery, King's College London, James Clerk Maxwell Building, 57 Waterloo Road, London SE1 8WA, UK
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +44-20-7848-3215
    • ,
  • Julia D. Roberts

      Affiliations

    • Senior Lecturer, Ageing and Health Section, Florence Nightingale School of Nursing and Midwifery, King's College London, UK
    • ,
  • Joanne M. Fitzpatrick

      Affiliations

    • Senior Lecturer, Ageing and Health Section, Florence Nightingale School of Nursing and Midwifery, King's College London, UK
    • ,
  • Alison E. While

      Affiliations

    • Professor of Community Nursing, Head of Primary and Intermediate Care Section, Florence Nightingale School of Nursing and Midwifery, King's College London, UK
    • ,
  • Julie Baldwin

      Affiliations

    • Research Associate, Ageing and Health Section, Florence Nightingale School of Nursing and Midwifery, King's College London, UK

Received 20 March 2003; received in revised form 1 July 2003; accepted 14 July 2003.

Abstract 

Despite being preventable and treatable, in the 21st Century, malnutrition remains a problem in the developed world and the nutritional needs of many older people in long-term care settings are not met. The UK government has pledged to provide high-quality care for this sector of the population, including minimum standards to ensure adequate nutrition. However, research is still needed into the detection, prevalence, cause and effects of malnutrition and maintenance of optimum nutrition; and to address the lack of training and education among those caring for older peoples. In the interim, simple measures such as monitoring older people's weight regularly need to be implemented as a surveillance measure of nutritional status.

Keywords:  Nutritional status, Malnutrition, Older people, Care homes

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 12.00 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Subscribe to this title

    Get unlimited online access to this article and all other articles in this title 24/7 for one year.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 

PII: S0020-7489(03)00131-7

doi:10.1016/S0020-7489(03)00131-7

International Journal of Nursing Studies
Volume 41, Issue 3 , Pages 225-237, March 2004

Article Tools