Oral supplements

Editorial and article in the current issue of JAGS on the problem of oral supplements in nursing homes. Weight loss and malnutrition are common problems in LTC and often the only intervention is oral supplements. It was found in this study and in past studies that a significant number of oral supplements were not being given as prescribed. There was also issues regarding the time spent by staff when supplements were being given. Other issues around oral supplementation included a lack of investigation as to the cause of the weight loss, inadequate staffing in many centres, interference with appetite and inadequate caloric intake despite oral supplementation.



DOI:10.1111/j.1532-5415.2006.00740.x