‘It takes a village’: a qualitative study on malnutrition and oral nutritional supplements with older adults in Ireland

• Published in: European journal of public health 2021-12, Vol.31 (6), p.1284-1290
• Main Authors: Reynolds, Ciara M E, Dominguez Castro, Patricia, Geraghty, Aisling A, Browne, Sarah, Bardon, Laura A, Corish, Clare A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Adults; Aged; Aged patients; Audio data; Beliefs, opinions and attitudes; Care and treatment; Community; Community health care; Community Health Services; Data collection; Dietary supplements; Female; Food and nutrition; Health aspects; Health care; Humans; Independent Living; Ireland - epidemiology; Male; Malnutrition; Malnutrition - epidemiology; Older people; Pain; Public health; Qualitative Research; Risk factors; Social aspects; Villages; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1101-1262; 1464-360X
• DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckab099

Abstract Background Malnutrition affects approximately 20% of older adult populations in Europe, yet their views on the condition are rarely explored. This qualitative study aimed to explore the experiences of older adults living with malnutrition and prescribed oral nutritional supplements in the community setting. Methods Semi-structured individual interviews were used to collect data from 13 community-dwelling individuals aged ≥60 years with a current or previous prescription for oral nutritional supplements. Self-perceived health status was measured using the EuroQol EQ-5D-5L, a short questionnaire and visual analogue scale. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Interview data were organized using NVivo 12 and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Results Median age was 80.0 (interquartile range 19.5) years, seven were male and six were female. Median health score was 60.0 (interquartile range 35.0) out of 100. Almost one-third reported severe or extreme problems with usual activities, and pain or discomfort. One main theme was identified from the interviews: ‘It takes a village’, with four subthemes (i) ‘I get by with a little help from my friends’, (ii) ‘The obvious diagnosis’, (iii) ‘The missing T in MDT’ and (iv) ‘Confusion’. Participants with malnutrition reported relying on friends, family and carers with poor multidisciplinary team communication and lack of dietetic support. Conclusions Participants in this study experienced poor management of malnutrition with missing links between the hospital and community healthcare settings, and lack of dietetic services. Patient views should be used to inform public health guidelines and guide future interventions in the community to improve the health status of older adults with malnutrition.