adapted to life changes, problem solving to remain nourished
and independent.
Risk of under nutrition is prevalent in community living
older people. Nutrition screening can act as a preventative
health measure. Intervention trials are needed to test sustainable
food based nutrition promotion initiatives. Functional status can
be improved in hospitalised older people identified at nutrition
risk by nutrition intervention post-discharge (38). Early
community based interventions may also improve functional
status and QOL. Further research should be focused on how
older people can best be assisted to maintain their nutritional
health at the level of the social environment, the individual and
the food.