Vision impairment is a risk factor for malnutrition in older long-term care residents.

PURPOSE: To examine how vision is associated with nutritional status in long-term residents.

METHODS

Voluntary residents of 47 assisted-living facilities and 7 nursing homes, including 2513 permanent long-term care residents (age ≥ 65 years) were examined by trained nurses about various health-related aspects. Nutritional status was assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment long version and vision was estimated using a question from 15D-health-related quality of life questionnaire.

RESULTS

18% of the participants were characterised by having vision impairment. Vision impairment was independently associated with residents' malnutrition (OR 1.62, 95% [1.22, 2.15], p < .001). Chewing problems (OR 2.78, 95% [2.18, 3.55], p < .001) and Clinical Dementia Rating memory item (OR 2.20, 95% [1.68, 2.87], p < .001) were also associated with malnutrition.

CONCLUSION

Vision impairment was associated with malnutrition, problems with oral health and poorer cognition. Vision impairment should be addressed when managing nutrition in this vulnerable population.