Evaluation of nutritional status of patients aged 65 and older residing in long-term care facilities in the Podkarpackie Voivodeship

Aim
The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional status of patients over 65 years of age residing in long-term care facilities in Podkarpackie Voivodship.

Material and methods
The study included 247 persons over 65 years of age. The study was carried out using the MNA scale, which allows to assess the nutritional status of patients, which depends on age and dietary preferences. All calculations related to the performed tests were performed on the basic Chi-square test.

Results
Elderly people are most at risk of malnutrition and their diet should be carefully monitored to ensure that the body receives all kinds of nutrients and minerals. After examining the entire group of patients, it was found that 31.7% had normal nutritional status. 37.6% of the patients are at risk of malnutrition, due to the comorbidities present and the condition they are in. On the other hand, 29.7% are suffering from malnutrition and therefore their health status is under constant medical supervision.

Conclusions
Elderly people over 65 years of age residing in long-term care facilities are provided with regular meals and assistance from third parties in all activities of daily living, and staff can easily monitor how the patient eats, how much they eat from the meals served, and whether their weight remains unchanged. The nutritional level of the respondents is significantly influenced by their health status and the level of dementia. As patients nutrition in the surveyed long-term care facilites studied varies, measures must be taken to ensure that all patients recive sufficient nutriens.