Elderly Nutrition Assessment in Sharjah

What is an elderly nutrition assessment?

An elderly nutrition assessment is a dietitian's examination of how well an older person is nourished. It brings together measurements, questions and observation to answer three things: is this person getting enough energy, protein and fluid; is their muscle holding up; and what is getting in the way of eating well.

Malnutrition in older age often develops quietly. Appetite shrinks, portions get smaller, meals get skipped, and clothes begin to fit loosely before anyone notices a problem. Muscle loss with age, called sarcopenia, can happen even when body weight looks stable, and it affects walking, balance and the risk of falls.

At Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, the dietitian carries out the assessment in the clinic and shares the findings with the family and with the doctor looking after the person, including the team for geriatric medicine.

Who needs it

This assessment is useful for older adults who show any of these signs:

• Weight loss without trying, or clothes, rings or dentures becoming loose
• Eating less, skipping meals or losing interest in food
• Tiredness, weakness, slower walking or difficulty rising from a chair
• A recent fall, fracture, hospital stay or illness
• Coughing or choking with food or drink, or avoiding certain textures
• Painful teeth, poorly fitting dentures or a dry mouth
• Memory problems, low mood or living alone
• Many medicines, some of which reduce appetite or cause a dry mouth
• Drinking little water, especially during the summer

It also suits families who simply want a baseline check for a parent or grandparent.

What happens

The assessment takes place in one appointment, with a family member present if the person wishes. It combines several parts:

| Part of the assessment | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Validated screening questionnaire | A score for malnutrition risk based on weight change, appetite, mobility, illness and mood |
| Weight and weight history | How much weight has changed, and how quickly |
| Arm and calf measurements | Muscle and fat reserves, useful when standing on scales is difficult |
| Hand grip strength | A simple measure of muscle strength linked to daily function |
| Diet and fluid history | What is eaten and drunk on a typical day, and at what times |
| Chewing and swallowing questions | Whether texture, teeth or swallowing affect eating |
| Review of medicines and blood results | Medicines affecting appetite, and results such as albumin, haemoglobin, vitamin D and B12 |

Where it adds useful detail, a body composition assessment can estimate muscle mass. If coughing or choking with meals is reported, the dietitian recommends a swallowing review, described on the swallowing disorder page.

The dietitian then explains the findings in plain language: the level of risk, the likely causes, and what to do first. Where the findings point to a medical cause, such as a thyroid problem, low mood or a side effect of a medicine, the dietitian shares them with the person's doctor so it can be looked into alongside the nutrition plan. The family also receives simple practical ideas they can start the same day, such as offering a nourishing drink between meals or setting a regular time for tea with a snack.

Preparing for it

Bring any record of past weights, even rough ones, and old photos can help show change. Bring a full list of medicines, including vitamins and herbal remedies, and recent blood results.

Bring dentures, glasses and hearing aids if used. A family member or carer who knows the person's daily meals is very helpful, especially if memory is affected. Note what the person ate and drank over three days, and any foods they now avoid.

Afterwards

The family receives a clear summary and a plan. Common steps include more frequent small meals, adding protein at each meal, softer textures, reminders to drink, dental review, and gentle strength exercise to protect muscle. Where needed, the plan moves on to clinical nutrition support with fortified food or supplement drinks.

A repeat assessment tracks progress, and for frail older adults a regular check helps catch changes early. In the Sharjah heat, older people feel thirst less strongly, so a set drinking routine through the day matters.

Contact the hospital if weight keeps falling, the person stops eating or drinking for more than a day, or coughing with meals continues. Go to the emergency department straight away for sudden confusion, severe drowsiness, very little urine, choking that blocks breathing, or a fall with injury.

Cost and insurance

Many UAE insurance plans cover a dietitian assessment when there is a medical reason such as weight loss, frailty or a chronic condition, and some require a doctor's referral. Supplement drinks and body composition assessment may be covered separately or excluded. Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can help you check your cover on 06 599 7777.