NUTRITION PROBLEMS AMONG HOME-LIVING ELDERLY PEOPLE MAY LEAD TO DISEASE AND HOSPITALIZATION

Undernutrition is a major problem among hospitalized elderly patients, increasing their morbidity and mortality. Various factors can contrib ute to the development of reduced nutrition status. In this study, red uced appetite and taste, dental problems, and difficulties in shopping and cooking were common in an elderly population during their last mo nth before hospital admission compared to a reference group of home-li ving elderly. It is likely that these nutrition habits and disabilitie s may contribute to reduced nutrition status and increase the need for hospitalization in old people.