Holistic nursing considerations when conducting nutritional assessment in a community setting

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Brooks, Abigail and Irons, Dana (2025) Holistic nursing considerations when conducting nutritional assessment in a community setting. British journal of nursing, 34 (13). ISSN 0966-0461

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Abstract

Malnutrition is a significant public health issue in the UK, particularly impacting older adults in community settings, affecting quality of life, healthcare costs, and patient outcomes (Age UK, 2023a). This article highlights the importance of a comprehensive nutritional assessment that considers biological, psychological, and social factors. Community nurses play a vital role in identifying malnutrition risks by going beyond traditional screening tools and incorporating patient-specific observations. Their unique access to patients' living environments enables them to apply clinical judgement and detect early signs and risks for malnutrition. By combining validated assessment tools with a holistic approach, nurses can develop tailored care plans addressing both immediate deficiencies and broader lifestyle factors. A thorough, person-centered approach is essential for promoting preventative care and improving nutritional outcomes for older adults in community settings, ensuring proactive and comprehensive care.

Item Type:	Article
Identifier:	10.12968/bjon.2024.0487
Additional Information:	his document is the Accepted Manuscript version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in British Journal of Nursing, copyright © MA Healthcare, after peer review and technical editing by the publisher. To access the final edited and published work see https://doi.org/10.12968/bjon.2024.0487.
Keywords:	Community Nursing, nutrition, holistic assessment, older people, risk factors, person centered care
Subjects:	Medicine and health > Nursing
Depositing User:	Abigail Brooks
Date Deposited:	16 Jul 2025 13:00
Last Modified:	16 Jul 2025 13:15
URI:	https://repository.uwl.ac.uk/id/eprint/13882

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Holistic nursing considerations when conducting nutritional assessment in a community setting

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