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Assessing Sarcopenia, Frailty, and Malnutrition in Community-Dwelling Dependant Older Adults—An Exploratory Home-Based Study of an Underserved Group in Research

Author

Listed:
  • Lauren Swan

    (Department of Clinical Medicine, Trinity College, D02 PN40 Dublin, Ireland)

  • Niamh Martin

    (Older Person Services CHO9, Health Service Executive (HSE), D09 C8P5 Dublin, Ireland)

  • N Frances Horgan

    (School of Physiotherapy, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), University of Medicine and Health Sciences, D02 YN77 Dublin, Ireland)

  • Austin Warters

    (Older Person Services CHO9, Health Service Executive (HSE), D09 C8P5 Dublin, Ireland)

  • Maria O’Sullivan

    (Department of Clinical Medicine, Trinity College, D02 PN40 Dublin, Ireland)

Abstract

Background: Adults of advanced age, with functional dependency, socioeconomic disadvantage, or a need for home care, are expected to be at high risk of sarcopenia, frailty and malnutrition, yet are likely to be underrepresented in research. We aimed to explore the assessment of sarcopenia, frailty, and malnutrition in-home, and to describe the practicality of performing these assessments. Methods: Home-based health assessments and post-study feedback surveys were conducted among community-dwelling older adults ≥65 years in receipt of state-funded home care ( n = 31). Assessments included probable sarcopenia [hand-grip strength (HGS), chair rise-test, and SARC-F case-finding tool], the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), and the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS). Results: The study group was of mean age 83.2 ± 8.2 years, 74% were female and 23% lived in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas. Almost all met the criteria for probable sarcopenia (94%, n = 29/31), were frail or vulnerable by the CFS (97%, n = 30/31), and over a quarter were at risk of malnutrition (26%, n = 8). Participants had low physical activity (71.0%, n = 22/31), with a mean daytime average of 11.4 ± 1.6 h spent sitting. It was possible to assess probable sarcopenia (by HGS and SARC-F, but not the chair rise test), malnutrition (MNA), and frailty (CFS). Home-based research was a complex environment, and unearthed significant unmet need, prompting referrals to health services (36%, n = 11), in addition to technology assistance. The majority of participants (93%) reported a willingness to partake in future research. Conclusions: Most community-dwelling older people in receipt of home support, assessed in this exploratory study, were at risk of probable sarcopenia, frailty, and low physical activity, with over a quarter were at risk of malnutrition. Our initial findings provide practical data for large scale studies and may inform the development of intervention studies aiming to support ageing in place.

Suggested Citation

  • Lauren Swan & Niamh Martin & N Frances Horgan & Austin Warters & Maria O’Sullivan, 2022. "Assessing Sarcopenia, Frailty, and Malnutrition in Community-Dwelling Dependant Older Adults—An Exploratory Home-Based Study of an Underserved Group in Research," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:23:p:16133-:d:991531
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Frances Horgan & Vanda Cummins & Dawn A. Skelton & Frank Doyle & Maria O’Sullivan & Rose Galvin & Elissa Burton & Jan Sorensen & Samira Barbara Jabakhanji & Bex Townley & Debbie Rooney & Gill Jackson , 2022. "Enhancing Existing Formal Home Care to Improve and Maintain Functional Status in Older Adults: Results of a Feasibility Study on the Implementation of Care to Move (CTM) in an Irish Healthcare Setting," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-18, September.
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    1. Dolores Sánchez-Rodríguez & Dorien De Meester & Léa Minon & Marie Claessens & Neslian Gümüs & Siddhartha Lieten & Florence Benoit & Murielle Surquin & Ester Marco, 2023. "Association between Malnutrition Assessed by the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition Criteria and Mortality in Older People: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(7), pages 1-13, March.

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