Page 181 - Petelin, Ana. 2021. Ed. Zdravje starostnikov / Health of the Elderly. Proceedings. Koper: University of Primorska Press.
P. 181
During the Covid-19 pandemic, 33.3 % of the elderly felt the same as be- quality of life of the elderly in intergenerational cooperation and learning programs 179
fore the pandemic and 66.6 % were a little or a lot more worried than before
(Table 2). Those who felt the same during the pandemic as before scored µ = 8.3
points (Me = 7,5) with the questionnaire, and the “I was more worried” group
scored µ=6.6 points (Me= 7,0). We found a statistically significant difference
using the Mann Whitney test (U = 256,0; p = 0,022). Those who have better
eating habits and scored higher feel better and were less worried during a pan-
demic. Covid-19 disease was had by 11.7 % of elders and 60 % of them were vac-
cinated.
Discussion
Based on the questionnaire and their thoughts on the Covid-19 pandemic, we
conducted an interview in the form of a dialogue to capture their eating hab-
its and other habits related to a healthy lifestyle. Of concern was the fact that
one-fifth of the participants consumed vegetables less than once a day and one-
fourth consumed fruits less than once a day, which are an important source of
vitamins, minerals, fibre, and other health-promoting elements. 16.7 % of old-
er people eat fewer than two meals a day. However, due to the physiological
processes of ageing, it is recommended to eat several smaller but nutrient-rich
meals with controlled energy intake (Gabrijelčič Blenkuš, et al., 2010). 63.3 % of
the elderly consume fried foods once or more a week, and 61.7 % of them also
use fat (margarine, butter, cream, animal fat) in their preparation. 33.3 % of the
elderly additionally salt their food at the table and 32 % drink sugared drinks
1-3 times a week.
The pandemic has strongly influenced the eating, shopping and living
habits of the elderly. In addition, there are movement limitation, changes in
physical functioning (decreased musculature, bone density, respiratory capac-
ity, urination problems, vasomotor instability, sensory sensitivity), changes in
mental health (depression, social isolation, sadness), as well as eating disor-
ders, orientation difficulties, falls, acute infections, malnutrition and others.
This is why a healthy, balanced diet planned according to expert guidelines is
so important for a healthy and robust immune system (Skela et al., 2010). Lim-
ited access to food during the pandemic period, as well as lack of cooking skills
and poor financial situation, are important factors contributing to inadequate
and insufficient nutrition, which in turn can negatively affect health and sub-
sequent treatment outcomes (Gregorič et al., 2020). One of the results showed
that 33.3 % of the participants felt the same as before the pandemic, but the rest,
66.6 %, felt somewhat or much more affected than before. A statistically rele-
vant relationship was found between those who ate well and their worries, as
they felt better and less worried than those who did not eat properly. We must
point out that independence and quality of life are very important for older
people when it comes to choosing food and preparing their own meals. After
all, 76.7 % of the participants prepare their own meals and 81.7 % buy their own
food. The data clearly shows that the elderly who participated in this research
fore the pandemic and 66.6 % were a little or a lot more worried than before
(Table 2). Those who felt the same during the pandemic as before scored µ = 8.3
points (Me = 7,5) with the questionnaire, and the “I was more worried” group
scored µ=6.6 points (Me= 7,0). We found a statistically significant difference
using the Mann Whitney test (U = 256,0; p = 0,022). Those who have better
eating habits and scored higher feel better and were less worried during a pan-
demic. Covid-19 disease was had by 11.7 % of elders and 60 % of them were vac-
cinated.
Discussion
Based on the questionnaire and their thoughts on the Covid-19 pandemic, we
conducted an interview in the form of a dialogue to capture their eating hab-
its and other habits related to a healthy lifestyle. Of concern was the fact that
one-fifth of the participants consumed vegetables less than once a day and one-
fourth consumed fruits less than once a day, which are an important source of
vitamins, minerals, fibre, and other health-promoting elements. 16.7 % of old-
er people eat fewer than two meals a day. However, due to the physiological
processes of ageing, it is recommended to eat several smaller but nutrient-rich
meals with controlled energy intake (Gabrijelčič Blenkuš, et al., 2010). 63.3 % of
the elderly consume fried foods once or more a week, and 61.7 % of them also
use fat (margarine, butter, cream, animal fat) in their preparation. 33.3 % of the
elderly additionally salt their food at the table and 32 % drink sugared drinks
1-3 times a week.
The pandemic has strongly influenced the eating, shopping and living
habits of the elderly. In addition, there are movement limitation, changes in
physical functioning (decreased musculature, bone density, respiratory capac-
ity, urination problems, vasomotor instability, sensory sensitivity), changes in
mental health (depression, social isolation, sadness), as well as eating disor-
ders, orientation difficulties, falls, acute infections, malnutrition and others.
This is why a healthy, balanced diet planned according to expert guidelines is
so important for a healthy and robust immune system (Skela et al., 2010). Lim-
ited access to food during the pandemic period, as well as lack of cooking skills
and poor financial situation, are important factors contributing to inadequate
and insufficient nutrition, which in turn can negatively affect health and sub-
sequent treatment outcomes (Gregorič et al., 2020). One of the results showed
that 33.3 % of the participants felt the same as before the pandemic, but the rest,
66.6 %, felt somewhat or much more affected than before. A statistically rele-
vant relationship was found between those who ate well and their worries, as
they felt better and less worried than those who did not eat properly. We must
point out that independence and quality of life are very important for older
people when it comes to choosing food and preparing their own meals. After
all, 76.7 % of the participants prepare their own meals and 81.7 % buy their own
food. The data clearly shows that the elderly who participated in this research
