The risk of malnutrition often occurs even before hospital admission. More than one-third of patients are malnourished when they enter the hospital. It’s no surprise that malnutrition can negatively affect their clinical outcomes and increase costs.
Malnutrition is common for older adults also when they return home from the hospital. It may be challenging for them to leave their homes to shop and prepare nutritionally balanced meals. Even busy caregivers may not know what meals are best for their loved ones.Members who are malnourished face several risks:
Undernourished individuals have an increased risk of falls and injuries, impacting their ability to live independently. Nonfatal falls cost the healthcare system over $19 billion in health care costs annually.
Proper nutrition can be like medicine for those suffering from a chronic condition or recovering from an illness or surgery. Individuals with diabetes and cardiac conditions need to adhere to diets low in sugar, fat, sodium, and cholesterol.
Referring your members to a home-delivered meal provider will help to ensure they will be eating nutritious meals. Medically-tailored meals after a hospitalization can help reduce malnutrition and improve results in managing chronic diseases and conditions. Post-discharge meals significantly impact both short-term recovery rates and the long-term health of members.
Six out of eight studies found that home-delivered meals significantly improved diet quality, nutrient intake and reduced food insecurity and nutritional risks among participants.
To learn more about the impact of nutrition on your members' health, download the infographic below!