Managing undernutrition in the elderly: Prevention is better than cure

Authors

Damian Flanagan, RMIT University, Victoria
Therese Fisher, Royal Australian Air Force Association
Micheal Murray, University of Melbourne
Renuka Visvanathan, Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Karen Charlton, University of WollongongFollow
Cathy Thesing, Melbourne Dietetic Centre
Gerald Quigley
Kerstin Walther, Central Sydney GP Network

RIS ID

70427

Publication Details

Flanagan, D., Fisher, T., Murray, M., Visvanathan, R., Charlton, K., Thesing, C., Quigley, G. & Walther, K. (2012). Managing undernutrition in the elderly: Prevention is better than cure. Australian Family Physician, 41 (9), 695-699.

Abstract

Background: Undernutrition in the elderly is common and can be associated with adverse medical consequences, contributing to frailty, morbidity, hospitalisation and mortality.Objective: This article provides guidelines for screening for undernutrition in general practice, and suggests strategies to address undernutrition in older patients.Discussion: Screening for undernutrition in general practice helps focus time and resources on people at greatest risk. Early identification and management of people at risk of undernutritionis important because it is difficult to reverse its adverse effects,once established.