Only anecdotal information is known about foods available in the home of hospital-discharged older adults. This study describes the home food environment of this population and examines associations between health/nutrition risk factors and ability to shop and prepare meals. Data were collected from 512 hospital-discharged older adults residing in 6 U.S. states; food available within the home was assessed. Most households had a variety of food present; however, 20% of households lacked fresh fruit, 15% lacked fresh vegetables, and 35% had no fresh meat. About 35% of participants reported an inability to both prepare meals and shop for food. Among those unable to do both activities, the prevalence of depressive symptoms, food-related anxiety, and poor self-rated health was significantly (p < 0.01) higher than those able to do both activities. Homebound older adults may face additional challenges to recuperation from illness based on inability to prepare meals, regardless of availability of food following hospital discharge.
The home-delivered meal (HDM) program of the Older Americans Act Nutrition Program (OAANP) has traditionally served frail homebound older adults; however, due to gaps in the continuum of care, enrollment in this program following hospital discharge remains a challenge. Trained interviewers at 6 HDM sites in 6 U.S. states assigned 566 hospital-discharged individuals, ages 60-96 years, into either early (48 hour) or delayed (2 weeks) enrollment groups and assessed their health and nutrition status. Regardless of elapsed time at enrollment, more than 80% reported at least one limitation in activities and instrumental activities of daily living. About 20% had impaired cognition and more than 40% had depressive symptoms. Also, 40% reported fair or poor appetite. Despite intense recruitment from hospitals, only 30% of participants were referred from hospitals. The recently hospital-discharged older adult population may include a higher prevalence of individuals with poor functional status and at nutritional risk than participants in the OAANP HDM program and yet may be underserved by this program.
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