scholarly journals Taste sensitivity of adults and elderly persons

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 797-808 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luisa Neumann ◽  
Bianca Coletti Schauren ◽  
Fernanda Scherer Adami

Abstract Objective: To compare the taste sensitivity of adults and elderly people, considering nutritional status, smoking and alcohol consumption. Method: Forty-six volunteers participated in the research, thirteen of whom were adult employees of a company from the food industry and thirty-three of whom were elderly residents of three Long-Term Care Facilities for the Elderly from the Vale do Taquari (Taquari Valley). They responded to a structured questionnaire about their socioeconomic data and use of medication, smoking and alcohol consumption, and underwent a nutritional evaluation and a taste sensitivity test. The taste sensitivity test was applied at three different concentrations for every flavor, with 4 drops dripped on the tongue of the volunteer, who described the level of perceived palatability, giving a score of 0-5. Data was analyzed through statistical analysis using the Statistical Package SPSS 20.0, considering a value of significance of p<0.05. Result: a reduction in the taste sensitivity of the elderly persons was noted for the sweet and sour solutions, in comparison with adults, as the majority of the elderly people demonstrated lower sensitivity scale scores for the citric acid solution in concentration 1 (p=0.004) and concentration 2 (p=0.049) and sucrose in concentration 3 (p=0.026). Conclusion: Elderly people had a lower perception of the sweet and sour flavors than adults. Moreover, nutritional status, gender, alcohol consumption, smoking and medication use were not significantly associated with the taste perception of the individuals evaluated.

2021 ◽  
Vol 59 (234) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jagdish Chataut ◽  
Shristi Jonche ◽  
Manish Ghimire ◽  
Dipesh Tamrakar ◽  
Mukta Singh Bhandari

Introduction: Elderly population is more likely to suffer from malnutrition due to aging-associated factors that influence nutritional status like loss of appetite, swallowing difficulties, digestive problems, and chronic illness. There is insufficient information related to the nutritional status of the elderly in Nepal. Hence, this study aims to determine the prevalence of malnutrition among elderly people living in the rural area of the Kavrepalanchok district. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 320 elderly people aged ≥60 years in a rural area of Kavre district from August to October 2019. Ethical approval was taken from the Institutional Review Committee (IRC-KUSMS: 68/19). Convenient sampling was done. Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Program for Social Sciences version 23. Results: The prevalence of malnutrition and risk of malnutrition was 37 (11.6%) and 159 (49.7%), respectively. Of 320 elderly persons, 193 (60.3%) males and 127 (39.7%) females, with a mean age of 68.23±7.38 years, participated in this study. The mean BMI was 22.54±3.25 kg/m2 (Mean±SD). The prevalence of malnutrition was higher among females 19 (15%) compared to males 18 (9.3%). Conclusions: The prevalence of malnutrition and risk of malnutrition is high in the study population. Interventions to improve the nutritional status of the elderly should focus primarily on older people, females, and those who have co-morbidities.


Stanovnistvo ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gordana Matkovic

In Serbia, the long-term care as a system does not actually exist. One part of the system is regulated through cash benefits, one part through institutional social care and community-based social services, and one part is just being established under the health care system. The linkages among these segments are not strong and there is insufficient awareness of the need to regard the different parts of the system as being interdependent and interconnected. According to the different surveys, home care is needed for the daily functioning of more than 80,000 elderly people, especially for around 27,000 of those who are completely immobile. More than 300 thousand elderly persons have indicated that they are in need of some type of self-care support. By tradition, elderly people in Serbia rely primarily on family support. Some are getting the state support as well. Research shows that 62 thousand elderly persons (5 percent) receive attendance allowance; 9,000 elderly are accommodated in institutions (0.7 percent), while 11.7 thousand (1 percent) persons received some type of support through home care community based services. In addition, in Belgrade there are also 2,000 elderly who are beneficiaries of medical and palliative care at home. The government expenditures for these purposes can be very roughly estimated at 0.55 percent of GDP, largely for cash benefits (0.37 percent). Considered over a medium and longer term, the government expenditures on longterm care in Serbia will inevitably increase significantly, primarily due to an increase in the number and share of elderly people and the increase in additional life years spent in ill health or in need of assistance. An increase in the expenditures will also be influenced by a change in the family models and the increasing number of elderly that will be living alone, as well as the diminishing possibilities for reliance on the closest family members, especially due to emigration flows both at local and national levels. Finally, it is important not to neglect the effect of emulating more developed countries, as well as the EU?s pressure to adequately respond to the needs of the elderly. Therefore, the state and society must promptly prepare a systematic, comprehensive, timely and fiscally responsible response. This response must recognize the capacities of all stakeholders, from family to state and non-state and match the capacities with the appropriate roles in the system of long-term care provision.


1999 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 383-393 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norman J Vetter

The recent Royal Commission report on funding long-term care was produced following more than 100 visits and evidence from 400 organizations. It was set up following concern at the costs of long-term care for elderly people and what was seen to be the anomalous position of elderly people cared for by the NHS in long-term beds, where all costs were found by the state, albeit that elderly persons themselves lost most of their benefits. This contrasted with those in the social or independent sector, where payment has to be made unless the elderly person is poor.


2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 293-300
Author(s):  
Helenice de Moura Scortegagna ◽  
Nadir Antonio Pichler ◽  
Lúcia Fernanda Fáccio

Abstract Objective: To identify the meanings attributed to the experience of spirituality when faced with life situations among elderly persons living in a long-term care facility. Method: A qualitative, exploratory and descriptive survey was carried out, based on interviews with eight elderly people living in a long-term care facility for the elderly in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Results: The content that emerged from the interviews underwent qualitative analysis for the extraction of units of significance and the elaboration of two thematic categories: Spirituality/religiosity as a direction of life and spirituality/religiosity as a meaning for life and a source of renewal, fulfilment and happiness. Conclusion: When describing the experience of spirituality as an important strategy for finding meaning in life, the elderly persons in this study revealed it to be a psychic and emotional support for coping with existential challenges. This knowledge allows professionals working in these institutions to invest in practices that incorporate spirituality as an element of the comprehensive care of the elderly.


2003 ◽  
Vol 54 (4) ◽  
pp. 277-284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masanori Komatsu ◽  
Kayoko Hirata ◽  
Idumi Mochimatsu ◽  
Kazuo Matsui ◽  
Hajime Hirose ◽  
...  

1989 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 239-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda L. Viney ◽  
Yvonne N. Benjamin ◽  
Carol Preston

Mourning and reminiscence are therapeutic processes common in therapeutic work with the elderly. However, a theoretical explanation of why they are effective has been lacking. Personal construct theory accounts for both in terms of the search of elderly persons for validation of their construct systems. In this article, this explanation of the parallel psychotherapeutic processes is explored, together with relevant information from the literature on mourning and reminiscence. Therapeutic case studies illustrate the characteristics of the two processes and the relationship between them.


2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Mendes Araújo ◽  
Temístocles Bezerra de Sousa Neto ◽  
Ângelo José Gonçalves Bós

Objective To identify the demographic, environmental, economic, functional, and health characteristics and the lifestyle habits of elderly persons considering their degree of institutionalization. Method A cross-sectional observational study was carried out of individuals in long-term care institutions for the elderly (resident group) in João Pessoa in the state of Paraíba, those on the waiting list (waiting list group) for such institutions, and those who did not demonstrate interest in being institutionalized (non-waiting list group). Fifty elderly persons per group were interviewed, paired by sex, age and education level. Results The non-waiting list group had a higher proportion of married individuals (p<0.0001), mean number of children (p=0.0068), number of homeowners (p=0.0060) and less difficulty going out, with a higher frequency of activities. The waiting list group presented a higher proportion of individuals living alone (p=0.0089), and a lower frequency and more difficulty going out. There was no significant difference in the functional capacity of the three groups (p=0.2019). Conclusion There were differences among the three groups; however, the waiting list group had much more similar characteristics to the resident group than the non-waiting list group. Elderly persons on waiting lists to be institutionalized represent a neglected social group both in terms of research and public policies.


2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 286-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fátima Ferreira Roquete ◽  
Carolina Campos Ricci Frá Batista ◽  
Rodrigo Caetano Arantes

Abstract Objective: to analyze the care and management demands of Long-Term Care Facilities for the Elderly (LTCFs) in Brazil. Method: an integrative review of literature was carried out, organized into six stages: a) elaboration of a guiding question; b) online search of LILACS, SciELO, PubMed, the CAPES Portal and the Brazilian Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology databases; c) article selection, following the exclusion and inclusion criteria, with the sample composed of 17 articles; d) commented analysis of the selected articles; e) deliberation on the results obtained, formulated from the synthesis and interpretation of the selected studies; f) presentation of the results of the review. Results: the care demands identified are related to the process of caring and assume a working team with geriatric and gerontological knowledge, while the management demands include the means and resources needed so the care can be provided effectively. However, the LTCFs were found to rely on professionals who are unprepared to provide care or to assume an organizational management role, meaning care for the elderly is restricted to the essentials for their basic needs. Conclusion: the care demands were easily identified in the analyzed publications, however, there is a lack of research that evaluates management demands in a broader and more in-depth manner. It is suggested that studies aiming to broaden theoretical knowledge of the care and management demands of LTCFs are carried out, to stimulate effective and positive actions in the practices of these institutions, seeking to offer top quality care to elderly persons that live in these facilities, that responds to the real needs of their current stage of life.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (03) ◽  
pp. 4363-4364
Author(s):  
Anggraini D ◽  
Sjaaf F

Hematological examination can give an idea of the presence or absence of anemia, nutritional status and immunology of the elderly so that it can help in monitoring the progression of the disease. This research is a descriptive research and the population included elderly people aged 60 years and over in Guguak Kabupaten 50 Kota, West Sumatera Indonesia. The tests included hemoglobin, index hemoglobin, erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets by using automatic analyzer. In this study, most of the elderly had hematological features in normal level.


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