Nutritional Care of the Older Patient with Fragility Fracture: Opportunities for Systematised, Interdisciplinary Approaches Across Acute Care, Rehabilitation and Secondary Prevention Settings
Jack Bell, Ólöf Guðný Geirsdóttir, Karen Hertz, Julie Santy‐Tomlinson, Sigrún Sunna Skúladóttir, Stefano Eleuteri, Antony Johansen
Abstract
Nutritional care of the older patient with fragility fracture is complex. Diagnostic difficulties, multi-morbidities and interdependencies and social complexities all contribute to the wicked problem of malnutrition. Whilst many settings have attempted to address malnutrition through highly specialised care, increasing evidence supports the role of systematised, interdisciplinary approaches across acute care, rehabilitation and secondary prevention settings. Consequently, this chapter is devoted to highlighting why a SIMPLE approach to malnutrition should underpin the nutritional care of the older patient with fragility fracture, regardless of setting or healthcare provider.S Screen for nutrition riskI Interdisciplinary assessmentM Make the diagnosis (es)P Plan with the patientL impLement interventionsE Evaluate ongoing care requirements