journal articles
OLFACTION AND NUTRIENT INTAKE IN OLDER ADULTS LIVING IN CANADIAN LONG TERM CARE HOMES
H.H. Keller, C.M. Steele, C. Lengyel, N. Carrier, S.E. Slaughter, J.M. Morrison, L.M. Duizer
Jour Nursing Home Res 2020;6:100-103
The aim of this research was to examine the prevalence of olfactory impairment in a sample of individuals living in long term care (LTC) homes and to examine associations between olfactory scores and food and fluid intake. Data were collected as part of a cross-sectional study conducted in 32 LTC homes across 4 provinces in Canada. Olfactory capabilities of 300 individuals were estimated using Burghart Sniffin’ Sticks. Food and fluid intake and self-reported olfactory capabilities were also collected. Based on Sniffin’ Stick scores, participants were classified into groups (anosmic vs not anosmic) with the majority (n=273) classified as anosmic. Differences in dietary and body weight data between the two groups were examined using pooled t-tests. No differences existed between olfactory group and body weight, caloric intake, nutrient intake or overall diet quality. Results indicate that older adults in LTC homes have significant olfactory impairments that do not show an association with food and fluid intake.
CITATION:
H.H. Keller ; C.M. Steele ; C. Lengyel ; N. Carrier ; S.E. Slaughter ; J.M. Morrison ; L.M. Duizer (2020): Olfaction and nutrient intake in older adults living in Canadian long term care homes. The Journal of Nursing Home Research Science (JNHRS). http://dx.doi.org/10.14283/jnhrs.2020.26