Malnutrition in the Older Adult

Course Overview

This Course will help you to identify risk factors for malnutrition and methods in which to identify potential members of our society who may be suffering from this condition.

Topics

• Risk factors for malnutrition;
• Methods to identify and measure malnutrition;
• Effects of malnutrition on health;
• Treatment and prevention of malnutrition.

Need

Malnutrition contributes to poor health outcomes: with the risk of malnutrition increasing with age, the burden of ill health in this group will increase in the future. Malnutrition increases the risk of morbidity and mortality, but it can, in part, be prevented.

Understanding risk factors for malnutrition, identifying its presence, and knowing and implementing treatment or prevention strategies can reduce the cost of malnutrition in our ageing population.

Purpose

Educate health professionals on how malnutrition manifests in the older adult, so that malnutrition can then be identified, prevented, and treated if required.

Learning Outcomes

• List the risk factors for malnutrition.
• State methods to identify and measure malnutrition.
• Explain the effect of malnutrition on health.
• Describe ways to treat or prevent malnutrition.

Target Audience

Nurses, carers and allied health professionals that work with older adults in acute care settings, residential aged-care facilities or in the community.

Disclosure

No conflict of interest exists for anyone in the position to control content for this activity. Wherever possible, generic or non-proprietary names of medications or products have been used.

Educator

Sandra Iuliano-Burns

Dr Sandra Iuliano-Burns (PhD) is a researcher at the University of Melbourne based at Austin Health. Her work focuses on the benefits of improved nutrition on falls and fracture risk in the elderly, especially those in aged care. Her current trial involves 60 aged-care facilities throughout metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria and it is providing valuable insight into the rates of malnutrition in the elderly in aged care, the causes, effects and potential remedies. See Educator Profile