[Weight loss in elderly residents in nursing homes and extended care facilities].

Clinical challenges toward elderly residents are numerous in long-term care and nursing home facilities. Among them, protein-energy malnutrition, as well as one of its markers, weight loss, are prevalent problems. Many complications are associated with these problems and contribute to morbidity, such as pressure sores, infections, sepsis, functional decline and mortality. In this article the topic of weight loss will be examined in such a way to emphasize the importance of monitoring an individual's weight measurements and providing the physicians with some practical guidelines useful for the care of these residents.