Occupational therapy and registered dietitian services to reduce fall risk among home delivered meal clients: a randomized controlled feasibility trial

Top Things to Know

Combining RDN and OT services with home-delivered meals can effectively address fall-related needs among older adults.

High satisfaction with meal convenience and staff interactions indicates the potential for positive impacts on recipients' quality of life.

Broader eligibility criteria and flexible meal options are necessary for scaling the trial and improving recruitment.

Summary of Conclusion/Findings

The study conducted a feasibility randomized controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate four service models aimed at reducing fall risk among home-delivered meal recipients aged 60 and above. The models included: meals alone, meals with registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) services, meals with occupational therapy (OT) services, and meals with both RDN and OT services. Key findings showed high retention rates (79%) and fidelity to services (84.5% for RDN and 90.2% for OT). Participants expressed satisfaction with meal convenience and staff interactions but highlighted issues with meal taste and delivery consistency. The study identified barriers such as restrictive eligibility criteria and recruitment challenges, suggesting protocol modifications for broader eligibility and increased flexibility in meal selection.