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Nutrition care practices for nursing home residents with cognitive impairment
Author(s) -
Vaughan Linda A.,
Richards Gyneth G.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.6.a1069-b
Subject(s) - medicine , mean corpuscular volume , anthropometry , hematocrit , demographics , vitamin b12 , hemoglobin , pediatrics , demography , sociology
The objective of this retrospective study was to report the nutrition care practices provided to older (>60 y) nursing home residents with cognitive impairment. Methods: Medical records of 300 residents (233 F, 67 M; 60–106 y old) were reviewed; all had a Minimum Data Set (MDS) and diagnosis of cognitive impairment and/or neurolophysical dysfunction (NPD). Demographics (age, gender, ethnicity), anthropometrics (weight, height, BMI), selected labs (hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), vitamin B‐12 and folate indices), and use of nutrient supplements were recorded. Results: 93% were Caucasian; mean BMI was 25 kg/m 2 ; 10% had a documented NPD. Hb was low in 31% of females and 58% of males; Hct was low in 38% of females and 70% of males; MCV was elevated in 5% of females and 2% of males. Only 30% of residents had been tested for B‐12 status (serum B‐12), more often in those with NPD vs. those without (p<0.05). Serum folate was assessed in 25% of subjects; 2% were tested for red cell folate. Fewer than 1% were assessed by more sensitive measures such as serum methylmalonic acid. Subjects with elevated MCV and/or NPD were no more likely to receive folate and/or B‐12 supplements compared to those with normal MCV and/or no NPD. Conclusions: Assessment of vitamin B‐12/folate status was rare; use of sensitive markers almost non‐existent. Supplementation was underutilized despite its low cost and low risk.