Home Food Environment of Older Adults Transitioning From Hospital to Home

Abstract

Only anecdotal information is known about foods available in the home of hospital-discharged older adults. This study describes the home food environment of this population and examines associations between health/nutrition risk factors and ability to shop and prepare meals. Data were collected from 512 hospital-discharged older adults residing in 6 U.S. states; food available within the home was assessed. Most households had a variety of food present; however, 20% of households lacked fresh fruit, 15% lacked fresh vegetables, and 35% had no fresh meat. About 35% of participants reported an inability to both prepare meals and shop for food. Among those unable to do both activities, the prevalence of depressive symptoms, food-related anxiety, and poor self-rated health was significantly (p < 0.01) higher than those able to do both activities. Homebound older adults may face additional challenges to recuperation from illness based on inability to prepare meals, regardless of availability of food following hospital discharge.

KEYWORDS:

• fruits and vegetables
• health care transition
• home food environment
• hospital-discharged
• nutrition risks
• OAANP
• older adults

Notes

*Significant at p < 0.05; **significant at p < 0.01.

†ADL—Activities of Daily Living; IADL—Instrumental Activities of Daily Living.

‡Adult Lifestyles and Function Interview-Mini-Mental State Examination (ALFI–MMSE; score range 0–22 points).

^§Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-5, score range 0–5 points).

^∥Question to evaluate food-related anxiety “While at the hospital, were you worried about getting enough food to eat when you returned home?”

^¶Lubben Social Scale (LSNS-R) (score range: 0–60). Two subscales (score range 0–30).

^a Reference group for pairwise bivariate comparisons by ability to shop and prepare meals.

*Significant at p < 0.05; **significant at p < 0.01.

†ADL–Activities of Daily Living.

‡Adult Lifestyles and Function Interview-Mini-Mental State Examination (ALFI–MMSE; score range 0–22 points).

^§Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-5, score range 0–5 points).

^∥Question to evaluate food-related anxiety “While at the hospital, were you worried about getting enough food to eat when you returned home?”

^¶Lubben Social Scale (LSNS-R) (score range: 0–60). Two subscales (score range 0–30).

At the time of this research, Ucheoma O. Anyanwu was affiliated with the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland. Dr. Anyanwu is currently affiliated with the United Way of Passaic County in Paterson, New Jersey.