Geriatric health: assessment of nutritional status and functional ability of elderly living in rural area of Bangalore, Karnataka, India

Abstract

Background: In India, geriatric age group (aged 60 years and above) constitutes 8.6% of the total population as per 2011 census. Under nutrition among elderly is leading to frailty, functional dependence and premature death. The functional status of the elderly is reflected by their ability to perform daily activities which refers to the basic tasks of everyday life. Present study looks into their nutritional status and functional ability. The objectives were to assess the nutritional status of the elderly using mini nutritional assessment (MNA) scale, to describe the functional ability of geriatric people using Katz scale and to assess the vision, hearing and mobility of the elderly.Methods: The study was a community based cross sectional study carried out in KakaRamanahalli, rural field practice area of RajaRajeswari Medical College Hospital, Bangalore for a period of 3 months. By the end of the study, we were able to reach a sample of 91 elderly.Results: Majority of the elderly were either at risk of malnutrition or malnourished. There was significant association between age of the elderly and their nutritional status. About 25% of the elderly were having decreased ability in performing activities of daily living.  More than 30% were having hearing impairment. Mobility and vision was affected in about 25% of the elderly.Conclusions: From our study, we conclude that majority of the elderly were either at risk or were malnourished.  There was a statistically significant association between age of the study subjects and their nutritional status.