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Developing a mealtime assistance framework for geriatric psychiatric inpatients: A narrative review
Malnutrition remains a significant concern within psychiatric inpatient settings, affecting up to 42.5% of individuals. Geriatric patients face unique nutritional challenges that set them apart from the general hospital population. Given the complexity of their needs, existing guidance on mealtime assistance is insufficient.
A comprehensive narrative review was conducted in accordance with the SANRA criteria, aiming to develop a framework to support mealtimes in this demographic. The review began by identifying personal and institutional hurdles in geriatric-psychiatric care and then examined effective mealtime practices from diverse inpatient environments. Subsequently, these practices were adapted to better suit the distinct requirements of geriatric-psychiatric inpatients.
Personal factors contributing to malnutrition include changes in appetite and taste due to medications, diminished motivation, apathy, and disruptions in circadian rhythms. On the institutional side, obstacles include rigid organizational structures, limited staff knowledge of nutrition, competing responsibilities, and an overarching emphasis on pharmacotherapy, which can lead to inadequate attention to physical and nutritional health.
The literature highlights several essential nutritional interventions, such as creating supportive mealtime environments through measures like protected mealtimes and optimizing auditory conditions. Fostering interpersonal interactions between staff and patients, adopting a ‘train-the-trainer’ model, and employing oral nutritional supplements alongside food fortification are also recommended. Specific adaptations for this population include flexible meal scheduling to accommodate irregular routines, targeted staff training focused on empathy and reciprocal interactions, and secure packaging for nutritional supplements to alleviate paranoia.
The establishment of mealtime interventions specifically designed for geriatric psychiatric inpatients is critical for mitigating malnutrition and enhancing both physical and mental well-being. This review introduces a tailored, context-specific framework for mealtime assistance, emphasizing the need to test and analyze the cost-effectiveness of such strategies in future research. [NPID:
Year: 2026
