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| Elderly Nutrition
Programme |
Introduction
Adequate nutrition is critical to
health, the ability to function, and the quality of life for people of all
ages. For many elderly, nutrition can be particularly important because of
their vulnerability to health problems and physical and cognitive impairments.
Over 1 million meals a day
are served through home-delivery or at congregate meal sites. Highly vulnerable
elderly, including the very old, people living alone, people at or near the
poverty line, minorities, people with significant health conditions or physical
or mental impairments are targeted.
ENP's Nutritional Contribution
One of the most important
findings is that the ENP plays an important role in participants' overall
nutrition. Most home-delivered and about 50%of congregate meal participants
receive five or more meals a week. For most nutrients, congregate meals provide
over one-third of participants' daily intakes, and for most nutrients the range
is even higher - 40 to 50% of daily recommendations. The pattern is similar for
home-delivered meals, though slightly lower.
Participants' daily nutrient intake is higher for
both home-delivered and congregate meal participants than the comparison group.
For nutrients that tend to have low intake levels, such as calories, calcium,
zinc and B6, the differences between the participant and comparison groups are
significant.
ENP and
Long-Term Care
The ENP
also plays and important role in provision of long-term care for the
elderly.
While most ENP programs
do not directly provide long-term care services, 85% provide referral services
to other resources in the community.
Recipients of home-delivered meals have greater
needs for long-term care services and tend to be more functionally impaired
than the overall elderly population. For example, of Title III home-delivery
recipients, 64% have difficulty shopping for food and 41% are unable to prepare
meals. About 15 to 20 % rely on other types of long-term services such as
homemaker services. Their needs are at least partially met through the ENP, and
for many, the availability of home-delivered meals is probably crucial to their
ability to function on their own.
Conclusion
It fills an important need for individuals over
age 60 who are at risk for receiving inadequate nutrition for any number of
reasons. Most providers of elderly health care are aware of the ENP play an
important role in referring patients to the program.
This study demonstrates that
family and friends also are crucial in referring individuals to the program,
especially for congregate meals. |
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