Chateau Renault

Undernutrition is a common problem among elderly people living in care institutions, affecting between 15 and 38% of residents and even higher percentages in hospitalized elderly individuals. This research aims to assess the feasibility of introducing finger food that can be eaten using the hands in care settings for dependent elderly people. The goal is to see if this new eating method can positively impact their nutritional status, independence, and enjoyment of meals. The study compares two approaches: the hand-eating mode where food is prepared in easy-to-grip bite-sized portions allowing residents to use their fingers, and the usual eating method. Participants are elderly residents over 75 years old living in accommodation facilities for dependent elderly people. The study is conducted in parallel groups and is open-label, meaning both participants and researchers know which intervention is being used. Participants will be involved for six months, during which the feasibility of the finger food approach will be evaluated through audits and questionnaires after the inclusion of the first three patients and at the end of the study. Researchers will monitor nutritional status, weight changes, autonomy related to eating, and overall satisfaction with meals. Safety and adherence will also be observed to understand the practicality of implementing this eating method in care settings.