Objective To examine nutrition-related responsibilities, challenges, and preferences for a nutrition-related training program among family caregivers supporting older adults with diet-related chronic conditions. Methods We conducted semistructured qualitative interviews with 24 caregivers of older adults. We conducted a content analysis to summarize challenges and preferences. Results Caregivers reported various challenges, such as limited foundational nutrition knowledge, financial concerns related to food purchasing, and managing food refusal. Caregivers expressed the need for a structured nutrition training program, prioritizing content areas such as condition-specific nutrition guidance, meal planning, cooking skills and food demonstrations, communication strategies, and behavior/lifestyle modification. Caregivers also expressed a preference for culturally relevant nutrition training to support dietary modification. Conclusion and Implications Family caregivers face significant challenges in managing their older relatives' dietary modifications. A structured nutrition training program for caregivers could improve knowledge and self-efficacy in managing their relative's health as well as their own health.
Bakare et al. (Mon,) studied this question.