Mealtime assistance and identification of eating difficulties prevent unintended weight loss in nursing home residents – A controlled trial

Background: The study evaluated an individualized multifactorial intervention to enhance the nutritional intake in nursing home residents. Method: The study was carried out as a controlled intervention study. Baseline data was collected during the first month and the intervention was continued for twelve months. Five units participated. Three units were conveniently selected for intervention and the two units as control units. Residents were included consecutively during the study period. In total 163 residents were available. Nutritional risk, eating difficulties and weight were obtained at baseline and every 3 months for a year. Interventions: An individual care plan was developed for each resident receiving extra mealtime assistance. Results: Rresidents who received mealtime assistance increased the average body weight significantly whereas the residents in the control units decreased their weight. Conclusion: Systematic identification of eating difficulties combined with sustained mealtime assistance is a safe and effective method to maintain body weight in nursing home residents.