Taste detection ability of elderly nursing home residents

Abstract

Due to the rapid rise of aged populations throughout the world, it is essential to elucidate the cause of taste dysfunction, because it may reduce appetite, leading to inadequate dietary intake. We aimed to compare taste detection ability between dependently and independently living geriatric individuals of nearly the same age with oral status. Forty-three elderly individuals considered to be cognitively eligible and residing in nursing homes in Japan were enrolled (n = 43, 82·3 ± 8·5 years) and were compared with an independently living elderly group (n = 949, 79·9 ± 0·8 years), aiming to compare taste detection ability between dependently and independently living elders of nearly the same age. Information regarding comorbidity and medication was obtained as general health status, and oral status including number of present teeth, denture usage and maximal occlusal force was also noted. In the dependently living group, 69·4%, 14·3%, 16·3% and 8·2% of participants could detect sweet, sour, salty and bitter tastes, respectively, which was significantly lower than the independently living group for each taste (97·9%, 70·8%, 89·6% and 43·8% for sweet, sour, salty and bitter tastes, respectively). The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that residing in nursing homes was associated with reduced sensitivity for four different tastes. The diseases and the situation of dependent elders were more likely the cause of the decreased taste sensitivity.

Taste‐related sensations in old age

“…Behavioural or lifestyle variables have also been shown to play a major role in taste‐related sensations as people age. Commonly reported behavioural influences expressed in later life include changes in food intake (preferences and appetites) , smoking history (deleterious effects of tobacco smoking on worsening taste perception) , oral hygiene (poor self‐care is correlated with taste loss) and institutionalisation (changes in taste sensation among those living in high‐care settings) . Among these factors, the negative effects associated with institutionalisation on changing taste sensation represent a promising area of research.…”

“…Older people are more likely to suffer from multiple chronic diseases, with higher intakes of medication . The diseases and the living situation of institutionalised older adults are more likely to cause of the decreased taste sensitivity . Additionally, decreased taste sensitivity was observed in hospitalised older people potentially due to advanced age, polypharmacy and poor nutrition .…”

Longitudinal study of factors affecting taste sense decline in old‐old individuals

“…Humans are able to detect various tastes by stimulation of receptors in taste buds in oral mucosa, which is important for personal assessment of the safety, quality and nutritional value of foods. Several factors have been suggested to be associated with taste loss or dysfunction, including ageing, medication, malnutrition, smoking, hospitalisation and institutionalisation (1)(2)(3). To detect a compound dissolved in water, Mojet et al reported that older subjects required a higher concentration than younger subjects (4).…”