Abstract Text Objectives: While several investigators have identified methods for recruitment of older adults into research studies, relatively little attention has focused on methods that community-based service providers can use to identify nutritional and functional risk among non-participants. This study evaluates the feasibility of a telephone-administered nutritional and functional risk screen of rural older adults. Methods: Mailed personalized letter followed by telephone contact and contemporaneous interview of a random sample, ages 60+, selected from Voter Registration list. The 67-question interview included General Health, Eating Habits, Living Environment, and Functional Status. Results: 152 (6% black) completed interviews, which is 76% of those contacted. 12% reported an unintentional weight loss, 44% taking ³ 3 prescription medications/day, 66% with ³ 2 chronic conditions, and 49% depressed. 19% live alone and 17% were concerned with home security. 33% reported difficulty with at least 1 ADL/IADL and 14% with at least 3. Matching questions with NSI Checklist, 47% were Moderate/High Nutritional Risk. Of potential respondents, 45% lacked an operating telephone, with blacks more likely than whites. Conclusions: Affirms the use of telephone-administered comprehensive screening to determine nutritional and functional risk among older adults residing in geographically dispersed rural areas. Identifies large proportion of randomly selected older adults to be potentially at-risk for poor nutritional and functional status. Exploration of alternative methods is needed to target individuals without a telephone.
Learning Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility of conducting comprehensive telephone screening of older adults who live in rural areas
Keywords: Nutrition, Assessments
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
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.