Questionnaire study on the dietary environment for nutritional improvement of the elderly in unit care type special nursing homes in the Kinki district

抄録

The effects of “cooking within the living unit” (CWLU) in “unit care type special nursing homes for the elderly” on resident’s physical status and quality of life (QOL) have been clarified in previous reports. Although there is a good appreciation for CWLU, actual implementation is often seen to be difficult. The purpose of this study was to clarify the present condition of the dietary environment in the unit care type nursing home in comparison with that in the conventional type. We conducted a questionnaire study with dietitians at special nursing homes for the elderly in the Kinki district in 2009. It was suggested that the unit care type was more like a home because of greater freedom in the dietary environment, and a higher number of residents had the opportunity to converse among themselves and with the staff while eating. When considering the dietary environment for the improvement of nutritional status and QOL of residents in the unit care type special nursing homes for the elderly, it is important to develop nursing methods that make effective use of facilities such as CWLU. In addition, it is necessary to increase the number of staff in order to perform individual care more effectively and sufficiently.