Meal and Food Provision Services for Community-dwelling Vulnerable Older Adults Perceived by Health & Welfare Service Providers in Seoul
10.14373/JKDA.2019.25.4.295
- Author:
So Mang JANG
1
;
Jeong Sook BAE
;
Kyung Eun LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Food & Nutrition, Seoul Women's University, Seoul 01797, Korea. klee@swu.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
vulnerable older adults;
food provision;
home-delivered meal service;
community;
dietary life
- MeSH:
Adult;
Community Health Centers;
Eating;
Humans;
Meals;
Seoul;
Social Work;
Social Workers;
Spouses;
Statistics as Topic;
Surveys and Questionnaires
- From:Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
2019;25(4):295-309
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
The purpose of this study were to identify the dietary practices of vulnerable older adults and to assess the foodservice and food provision service programs perceived by the health and welfare service providers in the community. A survey was conducted on health and welfare service providers working in outreach community centers and community health centers in Seoul. A total of 260 nurses and social workers participated in the survey and 224 responses were used for data analysis after excluding significant missing data. The respondents consisted of nurses (58.5%) and social workers (41.5%). In terms of the dietary life of the vulnerable older adults, they perceived that the food cost was burdensome to the older adults and poor dental conditions prohibited them from eating various foods. The health and welfare service providers rated highly for ‘home-delivered meal and side dish services are effective for checking older adults’ conditions' but rated low for availability of menu choices. In targeting vulnerable older adults for food and nutrition service programs, the home-delivered meal service was found to be suitable for older adults living alone, those over age of 80 years, those with mobility difficulties, and those with economic difficulties. The food provision service was appropriate for older adults living with their spouse or other family members. Vulnerable older adults are a heterogeneous population with diverse needs related to food and nutrition. Home-delivered meal/side dish service and food provision services will achieve their goals when they reach the correct targets with a customized service.
