Evaluating the Impact of the Eating Matters Program on the Nutritional Status of Medical Rehab Patients at Joseph Brant Hospital

This study is evaluating a hospital program called 'Eating Matters,' designed to improve the nutritional status of older patients who need help eating during their hospital stay. Malnutrition is a serious but often overlooked problem in hospitalized older adults — it slows recovery, increases complications, and prolongs hospital stays. The program trains hospital staff and volunteers to assist patients with meals, monitor intake, and provide nutritional support. The study measures whether this assistance leads to meaningful improvements in patients' nutritional status during their rehabilitation stay. You may be eligible if: - You are 65 years of age or older - You are admitted to the Medicine or Rehabilitation units at Joseph Brant Hospital - Your anticipated hospital stay is 10–14 days - You have been assessed as malnourished or at nutritional risk (SGA score B or C) - You need help with eating - You can provide informed consent or have a Power of Attorney to do so You may NOT be eligible if: - You are not permitted to eat or drink by mouth (NPO status) - You are receiving tube feeding or IV nutrition - You are receiving palliative (end-of-life) care - You have severe cognitive impairment Talk to your doctor to see if this trial is right for you.