CONCLUSION
Older adults are at risk of declines in nutrition and health status following
hospital discharge. This study suggests that older adults may face additional
challenges to recuperation from illness based on the inability to prepare
meals, regardless of the home food environment that awaits them following
discharge from the hospital. The home food environment of most CC
participants included a variety of foods available along with functioning
appliances for food storage and preparation, but more than a third of
participants were unable to shop and prepare meals. Consequently,
hospital-discharged older adults may benefit from the timely receipt of formal
in-home nutrition services such as those offered by the OAANP.