Comparing nutritional status, quality of life and physical fitness: aging in place versus nursing home residents.

Abstract

Background: Quality of life (QoL) is a key indicator of well-being in older adults (OAs) and several factors, including nutrition, physical fitness, and dwelling place, can influence QoL. OA residing in institutional settings, such as nursing homes (NH), often can exhibit different QoL outcomes, nutrition status and physical fitness compared to those living independently in age-in-place (AIP) environments. This study seeks to compare the QoL, and physical activity levels of OA residing in NH with those AIP and to evaluate their dietary quality.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included a total of 400 voluntary OAs, residing either in Narlıdere Nursing Home and Aged Care Rehabilitation Centre (n = 200) or aging in place (n = 200) in İzmir, Turkey. Participants were recruited between May 2023 and December 2023. Data collection involved face-to-face interviews using a questionnaire that covered demographic and anthropometric measurements, Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), Older People's Quality of Life (OPQOL-brief), Physical Fitness and Exercise Activity Levels of Older Adults Scale (PFES), and a 24-hour dietary recall. Nutritional status was further assessed using the Healthy Eating Index for Older Adults (HEI-OA).

Results: Mean age of OAs was 77.8 ± 6.5 years and BMI was 25.8 ± 3.9 kg/m². HEI scores were not differed between groups (NH: 42.8 ± 8.1, AIP: 42.2 ± 11.0, p < 0.542), but AIP residents had lower poor diet quality (NH: 40.4 ± 5.9, AIP: 37.5 ± 7.9, p < 0.001). NH residence had higher OPQOL scores (NH: 54.8 ± 7.8, AIP: 47.6 ± 10.4, p < 0.001), and higher MNA scores (NH: 25.6 ± 2.7, AIP: 22.4 ± 5.5, p < 0.001). NH group had lower PFES scores, indicating reduced physical fitness compared to AIP participants (NH: 67.3 ± 6.3, AIP: 74.7 ± 7.7, p < 0.001). Nutrient intake analysis revealed that NH residents consumed more daily water, protein, and micronutrients than AIP participants, with statistically significant differences in protein, MUFA, and SFA intake (p < 0.001). A significant relationship between MNA and QoL total score in NH (r = 0.157, p = 0.027) and AIP (r = 0.619, p < 0.001) was found.

Conclusion: The findings of this study revealed the potential influence of nutritional status on QoL, in enhancing QoL outcomes.