Feeder position and food and fluid consumed by nursing home residents

In many cultures, eating has both nutritional and social functions. To the elderly it can be a symbolic experience embedded in lifelong patterns and cultural preferences (Kolodny & Malek, 1991). The environment during the mealtime goes beyond the physical into the social arena. A properly balanced diet promotes health, contributes to the prevention of disease and disability, and aids in recovery from illness and accident. Appropriate nutrition throughout the life span is one of the best means of diminishing degenerative changes, thereby increasing longevity (Melkus, 1994; Steffl, 1984). More than 50% of elderly patients admitted to hospitals and nursing facilities suffer from, or are threatened by, malnutrition, either preceding their admission or subsequent to it. Inadequate nutrition extols a high price and may result in impaired immune response, aggravated infection, organ system failure, delayed healing, reduced energy, and impaired mobility (Mikulencak, 1992). In view of the importance of adequate nutrition, the manner of feeding has special significance. The purpose of this study was to explore whether the position of the feeder (standing vs. sitting) has any bearing on the food intake of the elderly who need to be fed.