This study provides, by means of group interviews, a qualitative analysis of the dietary behavior of elderly individuals in need of care and of the factors affecting their dietary behavior, and uses this analysis as basic information in discussing support methods for improving nutrition among elderly individuals in need of care. The study looks at eleven elderly individuals living at home who use preventive care services in their own home. The following factors in the dietary behavior of elderly individuals in need of care became clear: [menus tend to be lacking in variety], [they might not like what is put in front of them but they force themselves to eat it], [contents of meals that elderly people think are not good for them], [contents of meals that elderly people think are good for them], [they take less interest in what they eat], [they believe that supervising what they eat is equivalent to supervising their health], [they can't go shopping whenever they want to]. Factors which influence their diet are: [they are aware that their diet is bad, but their sense of values means that they are unable to change it], [their sense of values about food which they have no intention of changing], [influence on dietary behavior of reduction in bodily functions], [they cannot cope with the present food buying system and the change in products], [their financial situation affects their diet], [geographical and climatic conditions affect going shopping], [influence on diet of family composition]. The dietary behavior of elderly individuals in need of care must be supported on the basis of their current dietary situation and factors affecting their diet.
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