Desire for active life in the elderly at home and the influences of the use of catering volunteer services on activities of daily living

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We clarified the present status of the cooperation between catering providers and health welfare workers in catering services and the use of catering services and desire for active life in the elderly at home, and evaluated conditions necessary for catering services in terms of support for independence.The districts for survey were designated as A, B, C, and D (population, 3,400-16,000;rate of aging of the population, 28-39%), and a group interview survey was performed in March-November in 2003 in 102 catering providers (A, 28 catering providers ; B, 40;C, 12;and D, 22). Content analysis of transcribed records showed that the catering providers address the users' hesitation, collect information on user' s daily physical condition and data on their living, do not personally interfere with users, and protect personal information. Thus, the catering providers observed users with respect for privacy.The catering providers wished administration to perform publicity activities for the acquisition of adequate numbers of catering providers (A) and users (B, C), and enlightenment of inhabitants (D).We performed a visiting interview survey in 55 users (A, 14 users ; B, 23;C, 13;and D, 5) in 2001-2002, extracted 98 analysis units by analysis of contents concerning the use of catering services and desire for active life, and classified them into 5 categories. The users attached importance to communication with catering providers, took cook' s burden into consideration, gave opinions to improve meal contents, and formulated their dietary life using catering services. However, some users were aware of their low desire for active life, and considered that they can not receive expected life support.Publicity activities and health education based on the present status of catering services and its utilization and support by health welfare workers with consideration of catering providers' position and viewpoints are necessary.