World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN PSYCHOLOGICAL STATUS, RISK OF FALL AND NUTRITIONAL SCREENING AMONG ELDERLY AGED 65 YRS AND ABOVE OF RURAL RESIDENTIAL AREAS OF FARIDABAD

Ankita S. Sharma* and Aakanksha Nagar

ABSTRACT

Malnutrition is a common phenomenon among the elderly and quite often related to psychological and nutritional problems. The aim of this study was to determine malnutrition risk and its association with nutritional screening and psychological status among elderly residing in rural residential areas of Faridabad. The objective of this study was to assess and compare the nutritional screening of elderly of the rural areas, to evaluate and compare the psychological status of the elderly of the rural areas, to assess and compare the risk of fall among elderly and to assess their 24hr diet recall. The study was conducted among 35 subjects, who were interviewed to obtain information on malnutrition risk using Mini Nutritional Assessment. Psychological status was also determined using Geriatric depression scale to identify cognitive impairment, depressive symptoms and loneliness status of the subjects respectively. Risk of fall was determined using the Home check list designed by the University of Buffalo. The results were analyzed and assessed which showed the correlation between the nutritional status and depression level, and also if the subjects have good appetite and indulge in physical activities there will be an improvement in their nutritional status. A total of 85.7% of subjects were at risk of malnutrition in rural areas. The mean score of geriatric depression scale was 16.94. Malnutrition risk was prevalent and associated with nutritional status, psychological problems and risk of fall among both the elderly subjects.

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