The University of Adelaide will be embarking on a new study that will look into the benefits of providing nutritional supplements and small doses of hormones to elderly people.
Study leader Professor Ian Chapman from the university said that 43% of the elderly who receive home care are under nourished while the government also has to spend substantial amounts to provide the necessary care for hospitalization.
For the study over 200 people over 65 and clinically under nourished would be recruited. They will come from Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. Professor Chapman said, “In older people there is a strong relationship between hospitalization and the later development of disabilities. If we can address this problem, the costs to the community and the individual could be reduced drastically.” He said that mortality rate among elderly could fall by 34 percent if proper nutrition supplements are given.
The participants will be supplied with high protein supplements and testosterone over a 12-month period and monitored regularly to check on their weight, strength and energy levels. Professor Chapman said, “Low doses of testosterone also increases muscle mass and strength, energy and libido.” He explained that the elderly and malnourished are more likely to spend time in hospital as a result of falls, often associated muscle loss and reduced food intake. “In older people there is a strong relationship between hospitalization and the later development of disabilities… If we can keep the elderly out of hospital for as long as possible, everyone wins,” he said.
The study has been funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council.
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