The Meaning of Mealtimes: Connection to the Social World of the Nursing Home (original) (raw)
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All countries across the world are experiencing "population ageing" (United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division, 2015, p. 13). For instance, in Canada, in 2015, an estimated 16.1% (5,780,900 people) were 65 years of age (Statistics Canada, 2015). In 2011, 4.5% of seniors were residing in long-term care homes or chronic care hospitals (Statistics Canada, 2015). As reported by the Library of Parliament (2012), over the next two decades the number of people requiring long-term residential care (LTRC) will likely double. Similarly, in Germany, in 2016, 21.1% of the total population was 65 years of age and older (European Commission, 2017), and this figure is expected to rise to 32-33% by 2060 (Federal Statistical Office of Germany, 2015). In Norway, currently 11% of the population is 70 years and older, 4% are 80 to 89 years of age, and 0.8% are 90 years and above, and these numbers will essentially double or triple by 2060 (Statistics Norway, 2014). The World Health Organization (WHO) highlighted the need for increased awareness of this changing demographic and for rigorous and coordinated research in this area to inform policy (WHO, 2011). Food and the social experience of eating are important for both physical and psychosocial health and well-being. Mealtimes in nursing homes are often the main and most anticipated events of the day for residents. Although attention has been paid to food and food intake within the context of LTRC, a large portion of the literature points to the prevalence and contributing factors of malnutrition, dehydration, and weight loss among this population (American Dietetic Association [