Nutrition assessment in older adults - Essay Example

s defined as “faulty or inadequate nutritional status; undernouishment characterized by insufficient dietary intake; poor appetite, muscle wasting and weight loss” (Chen et al, 2001: 131). Malnutrition in the elderly can lead to disability, functional dependency, higher morbidity, mortality, immune dysfunction, greater demand for health care resources and reduced quality of life. Among hospitalized older adults there is also delayed recovery and increased complications (McCall & Cotton, 2001: 137).

According to The National Service Framework for Older People in England and Wales, nutrition risk screening or assessment tools help to identify those with nutritional concerns, in order to develop appropriate nutrition care plans (DoH, 2001: 54). Without adequate interventions, malnutrition can cause a steady decline in the well-being, quality of life and life-expectancy of elderly individuals. The Research Statement: This paper proposes to study the requirement for nutritional assessment among older adults, compare and contrast two nutritional assessment strategies: Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) and Mini Nutrition Assessment (MNA); and evaluate how a nurse may utilise these tools to assess elderly patients.

The lack of formalised and consistent nutritional assessment for older adults, along with the need to improve nursing knowledge has been recognized by the Senior Nurse and Midwifery Advisory Council (SNMAC 2001) in its audit of standards for older people (Bailey, 2006: 20). The author found from research that few nursing staff had received formal training in the specific nutritional needs of older people, and there was a lack of assessment and planned care. The need for systematic screening is emphasized because of compelling evidence that malnourishment is neither fully recognized nor treated in hospitals.

Treating malnutrition can improve outcomes for hospitalized and unwell elderly individuals. Malnutrition and its debilitating outcomes