Residential care facilities (RCFs) provide vital support to people when their needs can no longer be met in the community. As the number of older people in Ireland increases rapidly, the demand for these integral services continues to rise. In RCFs, core priorities are to promote residents’ autonomy, ensure a good quality of life, and deliver person-centred care. Two critical conditions, obesity, and sarcopenia (characterised by reduced skeletal muscle strength and mass), have the potential to significantly impact the independence and well-being of residents, and the nursing care required. Research in other countries demonstrates a rapid increase in the prevalence of obesity among residents in RCFs. Nevertheless, the impact of obesity on the independence, quality of life, and health of residents remains understudied. Sarcopenia is particularly prevalent in RCFs, and its coexistence with obesity is believed to exacerbate functional disability compared to each condition individually. Presently, the extent of these conditions in Irish RCFs is unknown. Furthermore, there is a dearth of data regarding how body composition and muscle function changes following the transition to RCFs and how these changes affect resident autonomy, health, and quality of life.
This research programme aims to comprehensively investigate the prevalence and clinical impact of obesity and sarcopenia among residents in RCFs in Ireland in a nationally-representative study. Using a longitudinal design, we will also characterise the changes in body composition and muscle function following transition to RCFs. Furthermore, we will capture resident and staff perspectives on these changes and their underlying causes. This research will significantly inform RCF policies and practices, particularly in the areas of nutrition, physical activity, screening, and monitoring. Additionally, it will contribute to RCF policies on staffing, equipment, and facility design, allowing RCF homes to better serve the diverse needs of residents.