The effect of nutritional intervention in elderly subjects residing in group-living for the demented

Objectives: We studied the nutritional status and the effects of nutritional intervention on body weight, cognition and activities of daily life (ADL)-function in demented individuals. Design: Controlled non-randomised study. Setting: Group-living for demented elderly (GLD), ie community assisted housing. Subjects and interventions: Twenty-two residents living in one of two units (GLD-1), received oral liquid supplements (1720 kJ/410 kcal/day) and the personnel of the GLD-1 were given nutritional education. Fourteen residents in the other unit (GLD-C) served as controls. After 6 months 21 (83 (4) y, 81% women) and 12 (85 (4) y, 100% women) of the participants, respectively, were re-examined according to body mass index (BMI, kg/m(2)), cognitive function (Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE, 0-30 p) and Clinical Dementia Rating Scale (CDR) and the Katz' ADL index. Results: Body mass index (BMI) less than or equal to 20 was found in 19% of the participants and 44% had BMI less than or equal to 23, BMI correlated with MMSE (r=0.43, P < 0.01). The weight of the residents in the intervention group increased by 3.4 (3) kg (P=0.001) at follow-up, whereas the weight remained unchanged in the control group. The cognitive function was low at the start in both groups, ie MMSE similar to 9 and no apparent positive effect of the nutritional intervention was seen. In addition, the ADL functions appeared to deteriorate in both groups. Conclusions: Being underweight was common among demented elderly in group-living and was related to low cognitive capacity. Five months of oral supplementation, along with education of personnel, was followed by a weight gain. In this study the nutritional treatment did not affect the rate of decline in cognitive function or Katz' ADL index. Sponsorship: Supported by grants from the Swedish National Board of Health and Social Welfare. Semper Foods AB provided the liquid supplements.