title: A comparison of eating practices of independently living older adults in private residences and in senior retirement housing: a pilot study.
abstract: This study investigated eating-related habits and their importance in older people and compared those living in private residences with those in senior retirement community housing. A convenience sample of 58 seniors answered eating-related items from the Self-maintenance Habits and Preferences in Elderly questionnaire (SHAPE). Meal location, companions, concurrent activities, portion size, and food variety differed between private and retirement housing for some meals, but the overall importance assigned to eating practices was similar. The meals themselves appeared to be more important than any specific socio-environmental element. Eating practices associated with dinner were more important than those for the other meals.
authors.affiliation: Research Institute on Aging, Charles E. Smith Life Communities, Rockville, Maryland 20852, USA. cohen-mansfield@hebrewhome.org
authors.forename: Jiska
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cohen-Mansfield
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jensen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012931:Social Environment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires