The journal of nutrition, health & aging
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J Nutr Health Aging · May 2010
Undiagnosed malnutrition and nutrition-related problems in geriatric patients.
Malnutrition is common in geriatric patients and associated with poor outcome. If recognised, effective treatment is possible. In recent years, low nutritional awareness among health care professionals (HCPs) has been deplored with respect to the general hospital population. The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to assess to which extent malnutrition and nutrition-related problems are documented by physicians and nursing staff in geriatric patients and whether nutrition support is used in daily clinical routine. ⋯ Despite high prevalence rates among geriatric patients, malnutrition and nutrition-related problems are rarely recognised and treated. In order to improve nutritional care, routine screening and standard protocols for nutritional therapy should be implemented in geriatric hospital wards.
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J Nutr Health Aging · Apr 2010
Comparative StudyWhich generic health related Quality of Life questionnaire should be used in older inpatients: comparison of the Duke Health Profile and the MOS Short-Form SF-36?
The objective of our study was to compare advantages and limitations of two generic Quality of Life questionnaires administered in older inpatients. ⋯ This is the first study to our knowledge to assess the interest of using the Duke Health Profile in a general elderly inpatients population as compared with the SF-36 questionnaire. Although these two questionnaires have four comparable dimensions, they differ in their content and psychometric properties. The Duke questionnaire, due to its better completion rate and despite some psychometric limitations may be useful in this population, particularly in the more frail patients.
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To establish, in collaboration with national Alzheimer Societies in Europe, practical and consensual recommendations for the end-of-life care of people with dementia. The aim of these recommendations is to provide a basis for understanding and action with regard to end-of-life care not only for family caregivers but also for professionals, policy makers and anyone with an interest in palliative care. ⋯ In this article we aim to present these recommendations and to invite professionals to consider these important issues and to contribute towards a broader discussion.