Abstract
This study examined the relationships between the mental/physical functions of residents of special elderly nursing homes providing functional recovery care and food types. On comparing residents based on food types, the grades of care required were lower, and the levels of independence based on the activities of daily living (ADL) Independence Scales for Older People with Disabilities/Dementia were higher in the regular food compared with the special food and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube feeding groups. Furthermore, the daily fluid and dietary intakes were higher, the time spent out of bed each day was longer, and the levels of in/outdoor mobility independence, rates of in/outdoor mobility aid use, and rates of being able to communicate and recognize situations were also higher in the regular food group. The results clarified the relationships among food types, mobility, and cognitive function in older people requiring care. They also demonstrated that the mental and physical functions of those consuming regular food are higher, suggesting the importance of promoting regular food consumption in nutrition care for older people.
