NUTRITION FEATURE
Mole et al ( 2019 ) conducted an interpretative phenomenological study to explore the experiences and perceptions of health care professionals and home care workers regarding nutritional care of people living with dementia at home . Seven participants ( including an occupational therapist ) took part in semi-structured interviews , supplemented with the use of a vignette . Following analysis , four superordinate themes were identified : ‘ responsibility to care ’; ‘ practice restrained by policy ’; ‘ in it together ’; and ‘ improving nutritional care ’. The authors suggest that future work should focus on how health care professionals and home care workers can be better equipped to screen for malnutrition , and support changes to nutritional intake to mitigate malnutrition risk .
EVIDENCE LINK
Reference Mole L , Kent B , Hickson M , Abbott R ( 2019 ) ‘ It ’ s what you do that makes a difference ’ An interpretative phenomenological analysis of health care professionals and home care workers experiences of nutritional care for people living with dementia at home . BMC Geriatrics , 19 : 250 , 1 – 10 . doi : 10.1186 / s12877-019-1270-4
© Wiltshire Farm Foods
Where finances have been affected during the COVID-19 pandemic , there may be difficulty purchasing sufficient affordable and nutritious food . Food surveys indicate that intakes of key nutrients linked to health and recovery are reduced in low income groups in the UK .
There are some actions that can help to overcome the barriers . If patients are unwilling or unable to shop , it can be useful to help set up food deliveries or register with the local council to facilitate with on-going food supplies ( www . gov . uk / coronavirus-local-help ).
Where necessary , suggest safe contact home delivery of meals , which meet defined nutritional standards to offer choice , variety and convenience . Examples include local authority community meals ( meals on wheels ) and private home delivery of frozen ready to eat meals .
Boost intake by encouraging patients to share meals ( home delivered or home cooked ) with friends or family using video calls where technologically feasible .
Recommend affordable , nutritious foods such as frozen , canned , seasonal , economy and value store ranges . Suggest more plant-based proteins and simple ideas for cooking from scratch ( www . bda . uk . com / resource / food-facts-eat-well-spendless . html and www . nhs . uk / live-well / eat-well / 20-tips-to-eat-wellfor-less /).
If appropriate , advise on budgeting , planning meals , reducing food waste ( www . lovefoodhatewaste . com /) and on uptake of benefits .
Sue Baic , registered dietitian , Nutrition Basics , Bristol . Writing of this review was supported by Wiltshire Farm Foods . The views expressed are those of the author
Want to learn a bit more ? To supplement the information in this article the following link offers practical , evidence based information on managing malnutrition in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic : A community healthcare professional guide to the nutritional management of patients during and after COVID-19 illness . Available at : www . malnutritionpathway . co . uk / library / covid19 _ hcpguide . pdf
RESOURCES
OTnews February 2021 33