Effect of a Breakfast Program on Nutritional Status, Quality of Life, and Health Care Among Homebound Frail Older Adults.

摘要

The Older Americans Act Elderly Nutrition Program's home-delivered meals service targets frail homebound older adults at nutritional risk. Traditionally, this program provides a noon meal 5 days/week. This study evaluated the impact of expanding the home-delivered meals service to include a breakfast, on the nutritional status, quality of life and health care utilization of program participants. The study compared a Breakfast group (n=167), which received a home-delivered breakfast + lunch 5 days/week, to a Comparison group (n=214), which received lunch only. Participants formed a geographically, racially/ethnically diverse sample, ranging in age from 60-100 years. Participants were functionally limited, at high nutritional risk, low income, living along, and had difficulty accessing food. Participant data was collected through in-home interviews and program records. Service and cost data were collected from program administrators.