P166 - NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF ELDERLY RECEIVING HOME CARE IN THE CAPITAL AREA OF ICELAND

P166

NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF ELDERLY RECEIVING HOME CARE IN THE CAPITAL AREA OF ICELAND

H. Harðardóttir^1,*, Á. R. Ingadóttir ¹, Ó. K. Magnúsdóttir²

¹Matvæla og næringarfræðideild , Háskóli Íslands, ²Developement Center, Health Care Centers, Reykjavík, Iceland

Rationale: Malnutrition among the elderly has been recognized as a challenging health problem, with a prevalence up to 60% among elderly in-home nursing services. 

The aim of the study was to assess nutritional risk of malnutrition in individuals in-home nursing services in the capital area of Iceland for the first time.

Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study. The sample of the study is individuals aged 65 and over (n=200) receiving home care in the capital area. The participants were screened for the risk of malnutrition with a validated screening tool. Those assessed as being at high risk of malnutrition were further examined and diagnosed according to the Global Diagnostic Criteria (GLIM). Part of the group received a home visit where body composition was measured using a BIA device and they answered a questionnaire.

Results: According to the nutritional screening, 73 (36,5%) of those who receive home care are at a strong risk for malnutrition and 52 (26%) at a certain risk. According to the GLIM criteria, 47 (23,5%) were malnourished, and 38 (19,5%) had severe malnutrition. The results of the BC measurement showed that 9 (90%) of them were far below the GLIM criteria for FFMI (kg/m2) or mean 13.7 (CI [12.7;14.7]) and 9 (90%) were malnourished according to the GLIM criteria.

Conclusion: This is the first study to examine the risk of malnutrition among elderly receiving home care in the capital area of Iceland. The results of the study showed that a large majority of the group has a moderate to strong probability of malnutrition, and about one-fourth were diagnosed with malnutrition according to the GLIM criteria. Older adults (≥65 years) receiving service from home care are a vulnerable group when it comes to the risk of malnutrition and need special attention and follow-up, especially after recent hospitalization.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared