Comparison of Nutritional Habits, Physical Activity Levels and Quality of Life among Normal Cognition Elderly Individuals Living in Nursing Homes or at Their Residence

Background: The process of ageing affects an individual's nutritional status, quality of life and physical activity level. This study aimed to compare these parameters among elderly individuals living either in nursing homes or at their residence. Methods: The study included 88 elderly individuals aged >= 65 years, 59 living at their residence and 29 in a official nursing home. The patients' sociodemographic characteristics, quality of life, physical activity levels, hand-grip strength and nutritional habits were evaluated. Results: The mean ages of those individuals living in nursing homes and at their own residence were 72.58 +/- 6.62 and 68.39 +/- 3.89 years, respectively. Those living in nursing homes skipped meals less frequently. Therefore, their energy and nutrient intake levels were significantly higher than in those living at their residence (p <0.05). Regarding quality of life, those living in nursing homes provided more favourable responses to questions regarding emotional role difficulties and social functioning subscales (p < 0.05). No difference was observed between the two groups in terms of physical activity levels and hand-grip strength (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Compared with those living at their residence, elderly individuals living in official nursing homes were less likely to skip meals and therefore had better energy and nutrient intake levels. They also demonstrated better quality of life in terms of social functioning subscales and emotional role difficulties. Copyright (C) 2019, Taiwan Society of Geriatric Emergency & Critical Care Medicine.