Korean Journal of Community Nutrition

Original Articles

[English]
Psycho-Social, Nutritional Status and Meal Service Utility Patterns by Living Arrangements of the Elderly Participated in Meal Service: Kyung Hee Han, Mee Sook Choi, Jung Sook Park; Korean J Community Nutr 2004;9(5):615-628. Published online October 31, 2004

Abstract PDF: This study is designed to examine influences of living arrangements on psycho-social factors, health and nutritional status, dietary adequacy and meal service utility patterns of the elderly. Nutritional status was evaluated by Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Three hundred and nine elderly (110 men and 199 women) who participated in meal service in the Chung-buk province were investigated. Proportion of the elderly living alone, couples only, living with spouse and family, living with family without spouse, and living with other than family were 30.7%, 25.9%, 14.2%, 24.3% and 4.9% respectively. The mean age of the elderly was 74.1 years and the elderly who are living couples only and living with spouse and family were younger than those with other living status. Living arrangements seem to be related to psycho-social factors, health and nutritional status, and dietary quality. Those who live alone and live with other than family were mostly women and they have lower socio-economic status, psycho-social, health and nutritional status and dietary patterns compared with those of the elderly who are living with spouse or family. It was found that the elderly who live a couple only and live with spouse and family had better emotional, health and nutritional index than those of the elderly who live with family without spouse, especially in case of females. Most of elderly perceived that participation of meal service programs had a positive effect on their daily life and satisfied with meals. The elderly living alone and living with other than family were more frequently using meal service but had a negative attitude about the charged meal service for better quality than the elderly with other living status. The most important reason for all the elderly to participate in meal service was to meet their friends and then to get other services. Particularly those who are living alone and living with other than family showed lack of moivation to prepare and set the meal, and for them the economic reason is also important. They also replied that the poor health and lack of other help were the most difficult problems for them to prepare meals. It would be effective to provide nutritional services that meet specific needs of the elderly according to their characteristics and living environment.

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[English]
Analyzing the Current Congregate Meal Service Program for Homebound Elderly: Hyun Young Jung, Il Sun Yang, Hae Young Lee, In Sook Chae; Korean J Community Nutr 2003;8(6):919-926. Published online December 31, 2003

Abstract PDF: The purpose of this study is to examine the current congregate meal service program for homebound elderly. One hundred three meal service centers in charge of the congregate meal service programs as part of the elderly foodservice program were surveyed for administrative structure, menu management, food purchasing and production management, hygiene, equipment, and facilities. Statistical data analyses were completed using the SAS 8.1 program for descriptive analysis and ANOVA. The meal cost of 54.4% of the congregate meal service centers ranged from won1,500 to won1,999 per meal. According to the menu analysis, all nutrients except calcium and Vitamin B2 were at levels of more than 33% of the Recommended Dietary Allowances for Koreans. A total of 81.5% of the centers were operated without the services of a dietitian, and food purchasing, menu planning and other food-service management processes were handled by non-professionals, such as volunteers, cooks or social workers. Although 88.3% of the centers required a therapeutic diet menu for the health of the elderly, most directors (77.6%) replied that in their current status they could not afford to serve therapeutic diets. These results suggest that financial and systematic supports by government is very necessary. Fifty-five percent of the centers never used standard recipes. For determining portion sizes, 93.2% of the congregate meal service centers depended on the personal experience of the personnel. Finally, the current congregate meal services for the homebound elderly were not operated systematically. To improve the elderly food service program, it is strongly recommended that it be managed by professionals.

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[English]
Analyzing the Current Practice of the Home-Delivered Meal(HDM) Service Program for Homebound Elderly: Il Sun Yang, Hyun Young Jung, Hae Young Lee, In Sook Chae; Korean J Community Nutr 2003;8(5):736-743. Published online October 31, 2003

Abstract PDF: The purpose of this study was to research the current home delivered meal (HDM) service programs for seniors living in the community. Fifty seven centers which operated a HDM service program were surveyed with respect to their administrative structure, menu management, food purchasing and production management, hygiene and equipment and facility. -Statistical data analyses were completed using the SAS 8.1 program for descriptive analysis and t-test. The results showed that 55 percent of the study group were from 70 to 79 years old. All of the participants received free HDM. As a result of the meal cost analysis, the meal cost at 56.1% of the HDM service centers was from won2,000 to won2,499 per meal. A total of 68.4% of the HDM service centers were operated without the services of a dietitian. According to the menu analysis, all nutrients except Vitamin B2 were at levels of more than 33% of the Recommended Dietary Allowances for Koreans. Although 96.6% of the HDM service centers required a therapeutic diet menu for the health of the elderly recipients, 68% of the directors responded that they could not afford to serve therapeutic meal. Food purchasing, menu planning and other foodservice management processes were handled by non-professionals, such as volunteers, cooks or social workers. Forty two percent of the HDM service centers never used standard recipes. For determining portion sizes, 75.4% of the HDM service centers depended on personal experience. Finally, the current HDM service programs for the homebound elderly were not operated systematically. It is suggested that professionally trained personnel should be included among the staff members to provide a more effective HDM service. The HDM service programs should be supported financially and systematically by the government.

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