Energy Dense Formula to People Living in Old Peoples Home

Malnutrition has been reported to be present in up to 55% of acutely hospitalised elderly and in one third of people living in assisted accommodation. Frail elderly with poor appetite are at risk for malnutrition. Rebecca Stratton et al have reviewed effects of oral nutritional supplements (ONS) in elderly hospital patients and key findings in hospital trials were that ONS can improve intakes of energy, protein and micronutrients without substantially reducing food intake which may lead to weight gain or attenuate weight loss.

Calogen extra is a fat emulsion containing 400 kcal/100 ml, based on canola and sunflower-oil which has a good fat composition. Moreover it contains around 30 % of recommended micronutrients and 5g protein/100 ml. It has potentially positive effects on energy intake, fatty acid profile and constipation.

The investigators have recently performed a clinical trial in geriatric patients in an acute-ward setting to evaluate the effects of a similar fat emulsion, Calogen, without micronutrients. The investigators could conclude that this fat emulsion based on MUFA and PUFA distributed three times daily at medication rounds may have positive effects on weight, appetite and serum lipids. Moreover the approach was well accepted by patients and nurses. The intervention period was very short (median 8 days) therefore the investigators plan to perform a study with a similar design, for a longer period of time, in a group of elderly living in old peoples home.

Inclusion criteria

• >65 years old
• Mini nutritional assessment-short form (MNA-SF)score < 12 points
• able to give informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• pancreatitis
• fat malabsorption, non-consent for participation.
• Subjects that have Calogen will be excluded.