Patient Decision Aid

Malnutrition Among Older Adults

Options to Limit Weight Loss in Older Adults

1

Introduction

Who and why?
2

Priorities

Clarification exercise
3

Options

Explore the options
4

Decision

Make an informed choice
5

Profile

Summary of my process

Introduction

Who and why?

Malnutrition occurs when a person's nutritional intake is too low to meet their needs. It may lead to a decline in health and strength, and reduce the person's ability to do things independently, such as walking, dressing, and bathing. Older adults who have lost too much weight are also at greater risk of dying as a result.

Risk factors for malnutrition
Find out more

Social and economic factors such as grief, eating alone, lack of cooking knowledge, or financial constraints.

Health factors such as dental problems, difficulty swallowing (for example, choking when eating, coughing or gagging when swallowing, or drooling), changes in digestion (such as constipation, poor appetite, ingestion or eating problems), loss of independence in daily activities, depression, and some drugs used for depression or anxiety (e.g., Celexa, Cipralex, Zoloft).

Environmental factors such as distance to grocery stores, and the availability and affordability of public transit.

Older adults who experience:
• Unintentional weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Difficulty eating or drinking (coughing, choking, or pain)


Older adults who have normal digestion but difficulty eating because of cancer, neurological problems, gastrointestinal problems, or trauma to their gut might also consider tube feeding. This document does not describe the pros and cons of the use of tube feeding.

Depending on your priorities, you may or may not decide to make a change. The choice is up to you because...


• There are several options to limit weight loss
• These options can cause benefits or harms. It is difficult to predict how they will work for you.
• You are more likely to stick to a lifestyle change that you chose to make yourself
• Opting for an intervention or "watchful waiting" are both acceptable options

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We recommend that...

- The decision take into account the person’s values and priorities

- The decision be shared among the healthcare professional, the person and, if necessary, the family or friend caregiver

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Version: 1.0

Publication Date: October 2018 - Evidence Update: August 2017 - Next Update: August 2019
© Laval University, 2018 - Conflict of Interests - Credits - References