A COMMUNITY-BASED, INTERAGENCY APPROACH BY DIETITIANS TO PROVIDE MEALS MEDICAL NUTRITION THERAPY, AND EDUCATION TO CLIENTS WITH HIV AIDS

Dietitians have the opportunity to be leaders in providing medical nut rition therapy and home-delivered meals for people with human immunode ficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in the co mmunity setting. Four community agencies developed the Visiting Nurse Service HIV/Home Delivered Meals Program. Fifty clients with the diagn osis of HIV and/or AIDS were served for a g-month period. The program provided convenient, energy-enhanced, nutritious meals. Participants r eceived daily hot and cold, energy- and protein-enhanced home-delivere d meals; weekly high-energy, high-protein, shelf-stable Snack Packs; a Medical Nutritional Supplement Sampler Pack; and two home visits from dietitians. Different diet options were available. Dietitians complet ed 47 initial nutrition assessment and food safety education visits 1 to 2 weeks after meal delivery began, and 35 participants received fol low-up nutrition counseling visits 4 to 8 weeks later. Participant dat a (including weights) were self-reported. Dietitians reported that 13 of 35 participants gained weight: (mean=6 Ib), 11 of 35 remained the s ame weight, and 11 of 35 lost weight (mean=5 Ib). Initially, 14 of 35 participants were considered to be ''doing well''; this improved to 19 of 35 participants 1 to 2 months later. Snack Packs were effective me ans to help participants meet some of their increased nutrient needs. The Medical Nutritional Supplement Sampler Pack was effective in famil iarizing each participant with available products. Medical nutrition t herapy by registered dietitians helped most participants improve their food consumption.