Nutritional interventions for older adults in palliative care: a scoping review

Abstract

Objective

To analyze the nutritional interventions adopted in older people in palliative care found in the literature.

Method

A scoping review was conducted involving a search of the following databases: PubMed, LILACS, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE and of the gray literature through Google Scholar, OpenGrey and ProQuests & Theses Global, without restrictions on publication date or language. The searches were performed using the descriptors and keywords, combined using Boolean operators AND and OR: “Nutritional Intervention”, “Intervenção Nutricional”, “Palliative Care”, “Cuidados Paliativos”, “Aged” and “Idosos”.

Results

Of the 5,942 studies found, 13 studies were selected. The backward citation search strategy identified 13 additional studies, giving a final total of 26 studies. Nutritional interventions adopted in older people in palliative care predominantly comprised nutritional counseling, oral nutritional supplementation and artificial nutrition through enteral and parenteral nutrition. These interventions focused on quality of life, symptom management and nutritional status.

Conclusion

Although there are gaps in the literature regarding nutritional interventions for older adults in palliative care, the importance of the role of nutritionists in promoting quality of life and relieving suffering of this population is clear.

Keywords
Palliative Care; Nutrition Therapy; Aged; Nutritionists