A comparison of the nutritional status of elderly Chinese living in different types of non-acute care institutions in Hong Kong.
The nutritional status of 191 elderly subjects living in three types of non-acute care institutions was studied by estimating nutrient intake and biochemical status. The dietary intake of women in the long-stay institution was similar to that of free-living elderly subjects. Dietary consumption of subjects living in a private nursing home and a convalescent unit were poorer than for elderly free-living subjects. Elderly women in all institutions had a poorer protein nutritional status, a poorer biochemical status of vitamin B12, folate, ascorbic acid, and vitamin D, and lower plasma potassium levels when compared with free-living elderly women. Those in the private nursing home and the convalescent unit had the poorest protein nutritional status. Among men, institutionalized subjects were observed to have poorer thiamine and riboflavine status, in addition to the above findings. The greater prevalence of chronic diseases and disability in the convalescent unit and the private nursing home may partly account for the poorer nutritional status of residents in these two institutions.
Woo
J
J
Department of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT.
Ho
S C
SC
Mak
Y T
YT
Swaminathan
R
R
D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009735:Nursing Homes; D009752:Nutritional Status