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Patricia C Heyn, PhD, Division of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, 4200 E. 9th Avenue, B-179, Denver, CO 80262, 303-315-5278, Patricia.Heyn@UCHSC.edu, Rosa Tang, MD, MPH, Ophthalmology, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX 775555, Mukaila Raji, MD, INTERNAL MEDICINE-GERIATRICS, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX 77555, and Steven Owen, PhD, Cntr\ Epidemiology & Biostatis, The University of Texas Health Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900.
Background: It has been suggested that poor diet is associated with visual disability. The visually-impaired elderly are a group who may show a high prevalence of malnutrition because they often have a deficient diet and are at risk for sensory loss. The purpose of this pilot study is to assess the nutritional habits of 50 elderly people who attend an Eye Clinic for their eye care. Methods: The DETERMINE Your Nutritional Health Checklist of the Nutrition Screening Initiative (NSI) and the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) will be used to evaluate nutritional and functional outcomes. To be included in the study patients have to come to the eye clinic for a complete eye exam, 55 yrs old and up, able to communicate, and not have a prior history of fatal dementia. Each patient will complete a Medical History and a comprehensive eye examination. Analysis: Preliminary analysis focus on the prevalence of nutritional-risk, functional limitations, and visual impairments. Conclusion: The findings of this study may provide knowledge to identify and develop health promotion interventions in the eye clinic for older persons who are at nutritional risk.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to
Keywords: Dietary Assessment, Aging
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.