Nutritional status in older people in need of health and social care

Old age is the major risk factor for diseases, injuries and impaired function (physical, cognitive, affective and social function) and hence the risk for malnutrition. Meals should be associated with a positive experience, but adequate food intake is also an essential treatment, and for survival.

The aim of this research is to identify and analyse the nutritional status in older people receiving home health care, to describe and to analyse the nutritional status over time and to assess associations between health parameter and  functional status and to implement and evaluate effects of interventions for optimizing treatment in malnutrition

The study population comprises old people with home health care in Örebro municipality and they will be continuously assessed over time.

In the explorative research the heterogenic group of participants will be studied in a wide perspective, based on four groups of parameters connected to nutritional status: 1) Disease, health and illness, 2) Food and nutrients 3) Cognition and sensory functions and 4) Physical activity and function.

Significance:
Understanding the significance of meals in the individual is a prerequisite for health and well-being beyond the obvious need for adequate nutrition and essential for efficient intervention programmes