[Screening and Assessment for an Early Identification of Malnutrition in Older People]. / Screening und Assessment zur frühzeitigen Identifikation und Abklärung von Mangelernährung im Alter.

ABSTRACT

Screening and Assessment for an Early Identification of Malnutrition in Older People Abstract Malnutrition is common among older people and leads to numerous negative clinical consequences due to changes in body composition and body function. A prerequisite for successful prevention and treatment is the early identification of older persons with (risk of) malnutrition. Therefore, in geriatric settings, routine malnutrition screening with a validated tool (e.g., Mini Nutritional Assessment or Nutritional Risk Screening) is recommended at regular intervals. In case of a positive screening result, a subsequent nutritional assessment is performed to confirm the diagnosis, to clarify the causes and to determine the energy and protein deficit, in order to initiate a targeted nutritional therapy and to improve the nutritional status of the older persons and thereby the overall prognosis.