Nutritional Status of the Elderly and the Challenges of Their Caregivers in Dambai

ABSTRACT 

The study sought to investigate into the nutritional status of the elderly, the nutritional challenges they faced, the challenges of the caregivers and the relationship between the challenges of the caregivers and the nutritional status of the elderly in Dambai. The study was based on the needs and family theory. Using survey design, data were collected from a hundred elderly with functional limitations and a hundred caregivers.  Multiple methods of data collection were adopted for the study. Questionnaire, interview and anthropometric measurement were used to obtain data). A total of two hundred respondents were conveniently and randomly sampled for the study. The data obtained were analysed and presented in charts, frequency distribution tables, percentages and graphs. The evidence emerging from the study was that 32% of the elderly were underweight revealing the prevalence of malnutrition (undernutrition) in the study area. The elderly were faced with health problems eating disorders which militate against their food intake and affects their nutritional status. It was revealed also that caregivers faced varied challenges associated with caregiving like stress/exhaustion, finance and inadequate time to cater for the needs of the elderly as most of them have their children and that of other family members in school. The study indicates that the challenges of the caregivers affect the nutritional status of the elderly; the more the challenges the lesser the ability of the caregivers to undertake care duties effectively. It has therefore been recommended that there should be development and implementation of income generating strategies for both elderly and caregivers should be educated to ensure that the elderly have access to nutritious low cost foods from the locality. Caregivers should also be assisted to empower themselves financially, and families should strengthen their ties especially the extended family ties by showing concern for other family members.