Sep 5, 2026
2:00 PM12:00 PM
ePoster display
PD974 - “WEIGHT LOSS ITSELF DOESN’T HURT”: LIVED EXPERIENCES OF THE EARLY PHASE OF DEVELOPING MALNUTRITION AMONG COMMUNITY-DWELLING OLDER ADULTS AND THEIR INFORMAL CARERS
PD974
“WEIGHT LOSS ITSELF DOESN’T HURT”: LIVED EXPERIENCES OF THE EARLY PHASE OF DEVELOPING MALNUTRITION AMONG COMMUNITY-DWELLING OLDER ADULTS AND THEIR INFORMAL CARERS
S. Brugman1,*, B. Groot-Sluijsmans1,2, L. Van Der Snee1, T. Voogt1, M. Visser1, E. Leistra1
1Health sciences, Vrije Universiteit van Amsterdam, 2Health, Sports and Physical Activity, Applied University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Rationale: Malnutrition affects 8.5% of Dutch adults aged 65+ and is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, yet malnutrition awareness among older adults is low. This qualitative study aimed to provide an in-depth understanding of the early phase of developing malnutrition as experienced by community-dwelling adults who received treatment for malnutrition and by their informal carers.
Methods: Grounded in interpretative phenomenology, semi-structured interviews were conducted with fourteen adults aged 65+ who received treatment for malnutrition and thirteen informal carers. Participants were recruited purposively across the Netherlands, varying in age, sex, education, and pace of malnutrition development. Transcripts were inductively analysed by reflexive thematic and dyadic analysis.
Results: Findings indicated that (1) a gradual onset of malnutrition goes initially unnoticed. (2) Older adults often normalise or accept malnutrition, underpinned by a low risk perception and perceived uncontrollability. (3) Prior experiences of malnutrition do not appear to enhance malnutrition awareness. (4) For some older adults, the social environment facilitates recognition of malnutrition and initiates action. For others, remarks from informal carers evoke discomfort, indifference, or dismissal. (5) Relational complexities exist as informal carers balance the competing values of respect for autonomy versus their desire to intervene.
Conclusion: This study highlights perceptions and attitudes hampering malnutrition awareness, potentially delaying recognition and subsequently delaying action. Relational complexities between older adults and their informal carers further complicate identifying and addressing malnutrition. Future interventions to increase malnutrition awareness among older adults should consider these barriers and dynamics.
Disclosure of Interest: None declared