The Examination of Nutritional Status for Seniors Living in Social Institutions

Abstract

introduction: Elderly nutrition is affected by a variety of different factors. In the case of seniors living in institutional care nutrition remains underestimated although the nutritional status has a significant impact on their living in the institution and is an indicator of the quality of care. methodology: In March 2012, with the help of trained nurses we surveyed the nutritional status of all residents of the Seniors Facilities. As of 6 March 2012, there were 147 residents of av erage age 79.4 years: the youngest resident was 58 years old; the oldest female resident was 94 years old. There were 103 women (70.1%) with an average age of 80 years and 44 men (29.9%) with average age 77.8 years. We examined all residents using the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form(MNA-SF®). Based on the results we have categorized them as: malnourished (0–7 points); risk of malnutrition (8–11 points); normal nutritional status (12–14 points). The results in single categories were evaluated by chi-square test and by determining the level of significance p. results: When assessing nutrition through the MNA-SF® test, 51.7% of our seniors had normal nutritional status and over one third of the population (34.7%) was at risk of malnutrition. Comparing the files by age (category < 80 years versus category ≥ 80 years) was statistically significant. Comparison of malnutrition and malnutrition risk scores (0–11 points) versus the population of a normal dietary status (12–14 points) by age (category < 80 years versus category ≥ 80 years) was statistically significant. conclusion: Nutritional disorders are very common among seniors living in institutions. The nutritional status of our seniors living in social institutions is not optimal, with 34.7% of people at risk of malnutrition; 13.6% of malnourished people in our set. Regular nutritional assessment should be a routine activity allowing to identify early signs of nutritional disorder and to implement preventive measures.

Journal

Title: Clinical Social Work and Health Intervention

Abbreviated Title: cswhi

Publisher: Journal of Clinical Social Work and Health Intervention

ISSN (Print): 2222386X

ISSN (Electronic): 20769741

Publication date Created: November 06 2020

Publication date Created: September 30 2020

Publication date (Print): November 06 2020

Publication date (Electronic): September 30 2020

Volume: 11

Issue: 3

Pages: 85-91

Article

DOI: 10.22359/cswhi_11_3_14

Copyright statement: © 2020

License:

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 Unported License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Product

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