Obesity and nursing home: A review and an update

High Medicaid Nursing Homes: Contextual Factors Associated with the Availability of Specialized Resources Required to Care for Obese Residents

Obesity is an increasingly important concern in the delivery of high-quality nursing home care. Obese nursing home residents require specialized equipment and resources. As high Medicaid nursing homes have limited financial ability, they may lack the necessary resources to address the needs of obese residents. Moreover, there are variations in the availability of obesity-related specialized resources across these facilities. This study aims to investigate the organizational and market factors associated with the availability of obesity-related specialized resources in high-Medicaid nursing homes. Survey and secondary data sources for the study period 2017-2018 were utilized. The survey data were merged with Brown University's Long Term Care Focus (LTCFocus), Nursing Home Compare, and Area Health Resource File datasets. The dependent variable was the composite score of obesity-related specialized resources, ranging from 0-19. An ordinary least square regression with propensity score weights (to adjust for potential survey non-response bias), along with appropriate organizational/market level control variables were used for our analysis. Our results suggest that payer-mix (>Medicare residents) and a higher proportion of obese residents were positively associated with the availability of obesity-related specialized resources. Policymakers should consider implementing incentives, such as increased Medicaid payments, to assist high Medicaid nursing homes in addressing the specific needs of obese residents.

Associations between obesity, self-reported weakness and their combinations with mortality in nursing home residents

OBJECTIVES

There are studies on associations between obesity and mortality in nursing home (NH) residents, but the presence of concomitant muscle weakness has not been examined. We considered that self-reported weakness might be a low muscle strength proxy marker. We aimed to examine associations of obesity alone, self-reported muscle weakness alone, and their combination with mortality in NH residents.

METHODS

This is a retrospective longitudinal follow-up study. We noted age, sex, nutritional status, functionality, number of chronic diseases, and regular medication. Obesity was assessed by the body fat-percentage method estimated by bioimpedance analysis. Weakness was identified by self-reported muscle weakness. Survival was evaluated with a univariate log-rank test and multivariate Cox regression analyses.

RESULTS

We included 214 participants. In a median follow-up time of 46 months, mortality occurred in 37.4%. In multivariate analysis adjusted by age, sex, undernutrition, number of chronic diseases, and regular medication, functional scores; 'non-weak non-obese' participants or 'weak alone' participants or 'weak+obese' participants had higher mortality risk when compared with the 'obesity alone' participants [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.2-5.5, p = 0.01; HR = 2.6, 95% CI = 1.2-5.9, p = 0.02; HR = 3.0, 95% CI = 1.2-7.7, p = 0.02].

CONCLUSION

This is the first report showing that obesity was associated with lower mortality risk if the weakness was not present in NH residents. However, obesity with concomitant weakness was associated with mortality risk similar to non-weak non-obese or weak alone participants. Our study suggests a simple consideration of weakness that can easily be integrated into everyday practice.

Dietary weight-loss interventions for the management of obesity in older adults

The obesity epidemic has reached old age in most industrialized countries, but trials elucidating the benefits and risks of weight reduction in older adults above 70 years of age with obesity remain scarce. While some findings demonstrate a reduced risk of mortality and other negative health outcomes in older individuals with overweight and mild obesity (i.e. body mass index (BMI) < 35 kg/m²), other recent research indicates that voluntary weight loss can positively affect diverse health outcomes in older individuals with overweight and obesity (BMI > 27 kg/m²), especially when combined with exercise. However, in this age group weight reduction is usually associated with a reduction of muscle mass and bone mineral density. Since uncertainty persists as to which level overweight or obesity might be tolerable (or even beneficial) for older persons, current recommendations are to consider weight reducing diets only for older persons that are obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²) and have weight-related health problems. Precise treatment modalities (e.g. appropriate level of caloric restriction and indicated dietary composition, such as specific dietary patterns or optimal protein content) as well as the most effective and safest way of adding exercise are still under research. Moreover, the long-term effects of weight-reducing interventions in older individuals remain to be clarified, and dietary concepts that work for older adults who are unable or unwilling to exercise are required. In conclusion, further research is needed to elucidate which interventions are effective in reducing obesity-related health risks in older adults without causing relevant harm in this vulnerable population.

Hospital Readmissions Among Post-acute Nursing Home Residents: Does Obesity Matter?

OBJECTIVES

To explore profiles of obese residents who receive post-acute care in nursing homes (NHs) and to assess the relationship between obesity and hospital readmissions and how it is modified by individual comorbidities, age, and type of index hospitalizations.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries who were newly admitted to free-standing US NHs after an acute inpatient episode between 2011 and 2014 (N = 2,323,019).

MEASURES

The Minimum Data Set 3.0 were linked with Medicare data. The outcome variable was 30-day hospital readmission from an NH. Residents were categorized into 3 groups based on their body mass index (BMI): nonobese, mildly obese, moderate-to-severely obese. We tested the relationship between obesity and 30-day readmissions by fixed-effects logit models and stratified analyses by the type of index hospitalization and residents' age.

RESULTS

Forty percent of the identified residents were admitted after a surgical episode, and the rest were admitted after a medical episode. The overall relationship between obesity and readmissions suggested that obesity was associated with higher risks of readmission among the oldest old (≥85 years) residents but with lower risks of readmission among the youngest group (65-74 years). After accounting for individual co-covariates, the association between obesity and readmissions among the oldest old residents became weaker; the adjusted odds ratio was 1.061 (P = .049) and 1.004 (P = .829) for moderate-to-severely obese patients with surgical and medical index hospitalizations, respectively. The protective effect of obesity among younger residents reduced after adjusting for covariates.

CONCLUSIONS/RELEVANCE

The relationship between obesity and hospital readmission among post-acute residents could be affected by comorbidities, age, and the type of index hospitalization. Further studies are also warranted to understand how to effectively measure NH quality outcomes, including hospital readmissions, so that policies targeting at quality improvement can successfully achieve their goals without unintended consequences.

Elevated levels of CRP and IL-8 are related to reduce survival time: 1-year follow-up measurements of different analytes in frail elderly nursing home residents

There are only few studies with specific focus on predictors of survival in nursing home residents (NHRs). The aim was to study whether 1-year changes in complete blood count (including hemoglobin, red blood cells, erythrocyte volume fraction, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, white blood cells count and platelet count), C-reactive protein and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-1Ra, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10, are associated with 8-year survival in elderly NHRs, aged ≥ 80 years. Complete blood count, C-reactive protein and interleukins were measured at baseline, after 6 and 12 months from 167 NHRs aged 80-101 years, mean age 88 ± 4.5 years, 75% of whom were women. Dates of death were collected from the National Death Register 8 years after baseline. Levels of hemoglobin, red blood cells and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration were lower after 1-year, but higher for mean corpuscular volume and IL-1β, compared to baseline or 6 month follow-up. In the Cox regression model with a time-dependent covariate, raised levels of C-reactive protein and IL-8 were associated with reduced survival time. Elevated levels of C-reactive protein and IL-8 during 1-year follow-up were related to reduce lengths of survival in elderly NHRs.

ESPEN guideline on clinical nutrition and hydration in geriatrics

BACKGROUND

Malnutrition and dehydration are widespread in older people, and obesity is an increasing problem. In clinical practice, it is often unclear which strategies are suitable and effective in counteracting these key health threats.

AIM

To provide evidence-based recommendations for clinical nutrition and hydration in older persons in order to prevent and/or treat malnutrition and dehydration. Further, to address whether weight-reducing interventions are appropriate for overweight or obese older persons.

METHODS

This guideline was developed according to the standard operating procedure for ESPEN guidelines and consensus papers. A systematic literature search for systematic reviews and primary studies was performed based on 33 clinical questions in PICO format. Existing evidence was graded according to the SIGN grading system. Recommendations were developed and agreed in a multistage consensus process.

RESULTS

We provide eighty-two evidence-based recommendations for nutritional care in older persons, covering four main topics: Basic questions and general principles, recommendations for older persons with malnutrition or at risk of malnutrition, recommendations for older patients with specific diseases, and recommendations to prevent, identify and treat dehydration. Overall, we recommend that all older persons shall routinely be screened for malnutrition in order to identify an existing risk early. Oral nutrition can be supported by nursing interventions, education, nutritional counseling, food modification and oral nutritional supplements. Enteral nutrition should be initiated if oral, and parenteral if enteral nutrition is insufficient or impossible and the general prognosis is altogether favorable. Dietary restrictions should generally be avoided, and weight-reducing diets shall only be considered in obese older persons with weight-related health problems and combined with physical exercise. All older persons should be considered to be at risk of low-intake dehydration and encouraged to consume adequate amounts of drinks. Generally, interventions shall be individualized, comprehensive and part of a multimodal and multidisciplinary team approach.

CONCLUSION

A range of effective interventions is available to support adequate nutrition and hydration in older persons in order to maintain or improve nutritional status and improve clinical course and quality of life. These interventions should be implemented in clinical practice and routinely used.

Longitudinal associations between body composition, sarcopenic obesity and outcomes of frailty, disability, institutionalisation and mortality in community-dwelling older men: The Concord Health and Ageing in Men Project

Background

to explore the longitudinal associations between body composition measures, sarcopenic obesity and outcomes of frailty, activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental ADL (IADL) disability, institutionalisation and mortality.

Methods

men aged ≥ 70 years (2005-07) from the Concord Health and Ageing in Men Project were assessed at baseline (n = 1,705), 2 (n = 1,366) and 5 years (n = 954). The main outcome measures were frailty (adapted Fried criteria), ADL, including personal care and mobility and IADL disability (ability to perform tasks for independent living), institutionalisation and mortality. The Foundation for the National Institutes of Health cut-points were used for low muscle mass: appendicular lean mass (ALM):Body Mass Index (BMI) ratio (ALMBMI) <0.789 and obesity was defined as >30% fat. Generalised estimating equations were used to examine the longitudinal associations between the independent variables (obesity alone, low muscle mass and sarcopenic obesity) and frailty, ADL and IADL disability.

Results

in unadjusted, age adjusted and fully adjusted analysis, men with low muscle mass showed increased risk of frailty and IADL disability. In fully adjusted analysis, men with sarcopenic obesity had an increased risk of frailty (odds ratio (OR): 2.00 (95% confidence of interval (CI): 1.42, 2.82)) ADL disability (OR: 1.58 (95% CI: 1.12, 2.24)) and IADL disability (OR: 1.36 (95% CI: 1.05, 1.76)). Obesity alone was protective for institutionalisation (OR: 0.51 (95% CI: 0.31, 0.84)) but was not associated with any other outcomes.

Conclusions

low muscle mass and sarcopenic obesity were associated with poor functional outcomes, independent of confounders. This would suggest that future trials on frailty and disability prevention should be designed to intervene on both muscle mass and fat mass.

Obesity in Older Adults

The percentage of older obese adults is on the rise. Many clinicians underestimate the health consequences of obesity in the elderly, citing scarce evidence and concerns that weight loss might be detrimental to the health of older adults. Although overweight and obese elders are not at the same risk for morbidity and mortality as younger individuals, quality of life and function are adversely impacted. Weight loss plans in the elderly should include aerobic activities as well as balance and resistance activities to maintain optimal physical function.

Challenges in the Management of Geriatric Obesity in High Risk Populations

The global prevalence of obesity in the older adult population is growing, an increasing concern in both the developed and developing countries of the world. The study of geriatric obesity and its management is a relatively new area of research, especially pertaining to those with elevated health risks. This review characterizes the state of science for this “fat and frail” population and identifies the many gaps in knowledge where future study is urgently needed. In community dwelling older adults, opportunities to improve both body weight and nutritional status are hampered by inadequate programs to identify and treat obesity, but where support programs exist, there are proven benefits. Nutritional status of the hospitalized older adult should be optimized to overcome the stressors of chronic disease, acute illness, and/or surgery. The least restrictive diets tailored to individual preferences while meeting each patient’s nutritional needs will facilitate the energy required for mobility, respiratory sufficiency, immunocompentence, and wound healing. Complications of care due to obesity in the nursing home setting, especially in those with advanced physical and mental disabilities, are becoming more ubiquitous; in almost all of these situations, weight stability is advocated, as some evidence links weight loss with increased mortality. High quality interdisciplinary studies in a variety of settings are needed to identify standards of care and effective treatments for the most vulnerable obese older adults.

Development of a Quality of Meals and Meal Service Set of Indicators for Residential Facilities for Elderly

OBJECTIVES

To develop a content validated set of indicators to evaluate the quality of meals and meal service in residential facilities for elderly. Inadequate food intake is an important risk factor for malnutrition in residential facilities for elderly. Through better meeting the needs and preferences of residents and optimization of meals and meal service, residents' food intake can improve. No indicators were available which could help to guide strategies to improve the quality of meals and meal service.

DESIGN

The indicator set was developed according to the Indicator Development Manual of the Dutch Institute for Health Care Improvement (CBO). The working group consisted of three nurse researchers and one expert in gastrology and had expertise in elderly care, malnutrition, indicator development, and food quality. A preliminary list of potential indicators was compiled using the literature and the working group's expertise. Criteria necessary to measure the indicator in practice were developed for each potential indicator. In a double Delphi procedure, the list of potential indicators and respective criteria were analyzed for content validity, using a multidisciplinary expert panel of 11 experts in elderly meal care.

RESULTS

A preliminary list of 20 quality indicators, including 45 criteria, was submitted to the expert panel in a double Delphi procedure. After the second Delphi round, 13 indicators and 25 criteria were accepted as having content validity. The content validity index (CVI) ranged from 0.83 to 1. The indicator set consisted of six structural, four result, and three outcome indicators covering the quality domains food, service and choice, as well as nutritional screening. The criteria measure diverse aspects of meal care which are part of the responsibility of kitchen staff and health care professionals.

CONCLUSION

The 'quality of meals and meal service' set of indicators is a resource to map meal quality in residential facilities for elderly. As soon as feasibility tests in practice are completed, the indicator set can be used to guide meal and meal service quality improvement projects in collaboration with kitchen staff and health care professionals. These improvement projects will help to improve food intake and reduce the risk of malnutrition among elders living in residential facilities.

Inverse relationship between body mass index and mortality in older nursing home residents: a meta-analysis of 19,538 elderly subjects

Body mass index (BMI) and mortality in old adults from the general population have been related in a U-shaped or J-shaped curve. However, limited information is available for elderly nursing home populations, particularly about specific cause of death. A systematic PubMed/EMBASE/CINAHL/SCOPUS search until 31 May 2014 without language restrictions was conducted. As no published study reported mortality in standard BMI groups (<18.5, 18.5-24.9, 25-29.9, ≥30 kg/m(2)), the most adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) according to a pre-defined list of covariates were obtained from authors and pooled by random-effect model across each BMI category. Out of 342 hits, 20 studies including 19,538 older nursing home residents with 5,223 deaths during a median of 2 years of follow-up were meta-analysed. Compared with normal weight, all-cause mortality HRs were 1.41 (95% CI = 1.26-1.58) for underweight, 0.85 (95% CI = 0.73-0.99) for overweight and 0.74 (95% CI = 0.57-0.96) for obesity. Underweight was a risk factor for higher mortality caused by infections (HR = 1.65 [95% CI = 1.13-2.40]). RR results corroborated primary HR results, with additionally lower infection-related mortality in overweight and obese than in normal-weight individuals. Like in the general population, underweight is a risk factor for mortality in old nursing home residents. However, uniquely, not only overweight but also obesity is protective, which has relevant nutritional goal implications in this population/setting.

Effect of weight loss on mortality in overweight and obese nursing home residents during a 5-year follow-up

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to ascertain the effect of weight loss over the course of 1 year on 5-year mortality in old nursing home (NH) residents in different classes of body mass index (BMI).

SUBJECTS/METHODS

A longitudinal study was conducted on 161 NH residents aged ⩾ 70 years at the Istituto di Riposo per Anziani, Padova, Italy. Data were collected using a comprehensive geriatric assessment at baseline and at a 1-year follow-up visit. Mortality was recorded over a 5-year follow-up. We divided our sample into four groups using as cutoffs a BMI of 25 and a weight gain or loss of 5% at 1 year (BMI ⩾ 25 and weight stable/gain, BMI ⩾ 25 and weight loss, BMI<25 and weight stable/gain and BMI <25 and weight loss).

RESULTS

People with a BMI ⩾ 25 and weight loss suffered the worst decline in activities of daily living, whereas those with a BMI <25 and weight loss had the most significant decline in nutritional status, which coincided with the worst decline in the Multidimensional Prognostic Index among the groups whose weight changed. Compared with those with a BMI ⩾ 25 and weight stable/gain (reference group), those with a BMI <25 were at the highest risk of dying (in association with weight loss: hazard ratio HR=3.60, P=0.005; in association with weight stable/gain: HR=2.45, P=0.01), and the mortality risk was also increased in people with a BMI ⩾ 25 and weight loss (HR=1.74, P=0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, weight loss increases the mortality risk in frail, disabled NH residents, even if they are overweight or obese.