The move from a long-stay learning disabilities hospital to community homes: a comparison of clients' nutritional status

Background Adults with learning disabilities have a greater incidence of he alth problems than the general population. It is now well established that they are a nutritionally vulnerable group with polarized weight distributio ns. Aim This study was undertaken to investigate the nutritional consequences o f the closure of a large learning disabilities hospital and the resettlemen t of clients in small community homes. Methods The nutritional changes were measured using a locally devised nutri tion screening form. This had previously been tested for reliability and va lidity. Clients were screened in the month prior to their discharge from Stallingto n Hall and at 1 year post-discharge. The two screening forms for each client were then compared. The screening f orm assessed risk in three areas: nutritional adequacy, weight and nutritio n-related problems. Results A number of significant increases in risk between the two screens w ere seen. In particular, there was an increase in overall risk relating to food groups, unintentional weight gain and loss and overall risk relating t o weight. At the first screen, 70% of the women and 55% of the men were outside the n ormal weight ranges and by the secund screen these percentages had increase d to 82% and 60%, respectively. It was not possible to weigh 15% of the stu dy participants at the second screen because suitable scales were not avail able. Conclusions The study confirms the nutritional vulnerability of the partici pants and highlights a number of adverse nutritional changes. It supports t he need fur regular screening and dietetic input.