The Current Status and Problems of the Meal Services Used by Community-dwelling Elderly Women

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to assess the likely advantages and disadvantages of the provision of home-delivery and communal meal services for community-dwelling elderly women. Methods: We enrolled a total of 133 elderly women, including 45 who used home-delivery meal services and 88 who used communal meal services, offered by the Social Welfare Council of City A. A questionnaire survey was conducted to assess the physical and living conditions, and the extent of service usage. Data were analyzed using Student＇s t-test and the χ 2-test. The nutritional content of home-delivery boxed meals and dishes served at communal meals was then estimated by a registered dietician. Results: The majority of the examined subjects were found to live alone; the home-delivery and communal meal services were their source of nutrition, and provided them with a high degree of satisfaction. Many users of the home-delivery meal service were in poor health, and rarely went outdoors, whereas the communal meal service involves a social setting, and an opportunity for subjects to leave the house. A greater number of staple food servings, such as rice and other carbohydraterich foods, were consumed by home-delivery service users in comparison to those eating communal meals. Conclusion: Home-delivery and communal meal services are often the source of nutrition among elderly women. The home-delivery service provides a sense of security regarding the daily availability of food, whereas the communal meal service provides an opportunity to leave the house and socialize. These services can help elderly women maintain a favorable nutritional and health status. Therefore, these meal services must further enhance their programs in order to help users avoid the need for nursing care.