Assessment of nutritional and mental health status of institutionalized geriatric people

BACKGROUND: Health and nutritional assessment of the institutionalized geriatric population is essential in providing better health care. OBJECTIVE: To assess the institutionalized geriatric population's nutritional and mental health status. METHODOLOGY: One hundred elderly people aged 60 years and above residing at Little Drops – Old Age Home, Mangadu, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu, were selected for the study. General information was obtained using a structured interview schedule. Nutrient intake was assessed using the three day dietary recall method. Standard methods were used to measure anthropometric, biochemical, and clinical parameters. Mental health was assessed using the Depression, anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-42) tool. RESULTS: Noncommunicable diseases such as hypertension (37%), osteoporosis (35%), and type 2 diabetes mellitus (25%) were reported by the participants. Walking and hand exercises were the most common form of physical exercise. The mean height, weight, and body mass index were 153.55 ± 11.83 cm, 55.49 ± 14.21 kg, and 23.83 ± 6.50 kg/m2, respectively. The mean systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were 128.61 ± 21.12 mmHg and 80.37 ± 10.70 mmHg, respectively. The mean hemoglobin value of male and female participants was 11.90 ± 2.33 g/dL and 11.09 ± 1.92 g/dL, respectively, thus indicating the presence of anemia. The intake of macro and micronutrients was less than the recommended dietary allowances. The decrease in food intake was due to tooth problems, xerostomia, difficulty in swallowing, nausea, and vomiting. Based on the scores obtained using the DASS-42 tool, most of the participants (70%) were depressed. CONCLUSIONS: The results specify the need to conduct periodical medical screening programs to improve the health status of geriatric people.