Malnutrition on the menu: Nutritional status of institutionalised elderly Australians in low-level care

Abstract

Background Most studies reporting malnutrition in the elderly relate to high-level care. However, one third of Australians in aged care reside in low-level care facilities. Data is limited on their nutritional status. Objective To investigate the nutritional status of elderly in low-level care facilities. Design A cross sectional study design. Setting 14 low-level aged care facilities in metropolitan Melbourne. Participants Convenience sample of 103 ambulatory elderly (86 ± 6.6 years (mean ± SD), 76% female, comprising 15% of the hostel population) able to perform daily functions of living. Measurements Nutritional intake assessed by three-day weighed food records, and nutritional status by ..