Meaningful Engagement in Nutritional Understanding (MENU): Best choices for aged care

Not Applicable

• Conditions: utrition; Dementia; Nutrition; Diet and Nutrition - Other diet and nutrition disorders; Neurological - Dementias

• Registration Number: ACTRN12618000540213
• Lead Sponsor: niversity of Tasmania

Brief Summary

Research suggests most older adults with dementia in residential aged care are malnourished or at risk of malnourishment. The Meaningful Engagement in Nutritional Understanding (MENU) project trialled a practical multi-component tailored intervention in two Tasmanian aged care homes to raise staff and family member awareness of best nutrition and hydration care for people with dementia. Baseline data were collected on staff and family members’ nutrition knowledge and perceptions and from observations and nutritional assessment of residents living with dementia. These data informed the development of an action plan in each care home tailored to residents’ needs. Nutrition Champions (staff members) volunteered to support the development and implementation of these plans. Plan 1 focused on hydration, the importance of hydration, the consequences of dehydration, and increasing choice of drinks. Plan 2 enhanced the mealtime environment; regretfully Plan 2 was not implemented as this home withdrew from the project due to organisational constraints. Tailored educational resources, including posters, coasters, lanyard prompt cards, and e-learning slides, were developed with Nutrition Champions to support the activities in Plan 1 over a 4-month period, with onsite evaluation. This action plan was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff and family members were surveyed online to obtain project feedback. This feedback documented the value of the educational resources (especially posters), associated conversations, and increased choice that prompted residents to drink more. The project highlighted the value of staff and family involvement and focus on key issues in nutrition and hydration care that needed to change. These issues included the need for management support to address organisational barriers affecting the implementation of evidence-based practice in residential aged care.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Results First Posted: 1900-01-01
• Study Start: 2018-04-11
• Study Completion: 2021-03-16
• Last Update Posted: 21 March 2022

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: Stopped early
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 109

Inclusion Criteria

Participants will be recruited from two aged care facilities where they will reside, work or volunteer, or be a family member of a resident.
The criteria for residents’ inclusion in the study are:
1.Resident in the aged care facility for over four weeks;
2.Has symptoms of cognitive impairment or dementia (e.g. over 9/21 on Psychogeriatric Assessment Scale–Cognitive (moderate-severe impairment)).
The criteria for aged care workers, care volunteers and family members are:
1. Has paid or voluntary employment at, or has a family member living in, one of the participating aged care homes;
2. Aged 18 year or over.

Exclusion Criteria

People highly dependent on medical care or, in the opinion of nursing staff, at end-of-life.

Study & Design

• Study Type: Interventional
• Study Design: Not specified