Finger Food for Elderly Residents in Care Facilities A Randomized Pilot Study to Improve Nutrition and Enjoyment of Eating

What this Trial Is About

Undernutrition is a common issue among elderly people living in care institutions or hospitals, affecting between 15% and 60% of this population. Satisfaction with meals often decreases as dependence increases, impacting quality of life. This research aims to assess the feasibility of introducing finger food meals in care settings, which may help improve nutritional status and meal enjoyment for elderly residents. The study compares two groups one receiving food prepared as easy-to-grip bites designed to be eaten with fingers Hand-Eating, and the other receiving usual food administration. The trial is randomized and open-label, conducted over six months, with ongoing evaluations of weight, food consumption, autonomy, eating pleasure, and swallowing safety. The new eating method is intended to promote independence and enjoyment in eating among elderly residents. Participants will be monitored regularly during the six-month study period through questionnaires and audits assessing feasibility, with specific measures taken every week or month depending on the outcome. These include biweekly weight checks, weekly food intake monitoring, monthly autonomy assessments using the EBS scale, monthly eating pleasure evaluations, and weekly checks for swallowing difficulties. The study is sponsored by the University Hospital in Tours and is open to elderly residents living in care facilities.

Finger Food, Pleasure at Your Fingertips: Randomized Pilot Study, Open-label and Parallel Groups