Department of Nursing, Obstetrics, Gynecology, Pediatrics and Psychiatry, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain.
Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2013 Apr;13(2):482-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1447-0594.2012.00925.x. Epub 2012 Aug 31.
The aim of the present study was to explore the significance of the mealtime experience among residents of nursing homes in Spain.
A qualitative phenomenological approach was followed. An initial purposeful sampling of Spanish residents in for-profit nursing homes in the southern area of Madrid was carried out. A theoretical sampling was also implemented in order to gain a more in-depth understanding of dependence. Inclusion criteria for nursing home residents were: age (60 years or older) and lack of any cognitive impairment. Data were collected using unstructured and semistructured interviews. Data collection was concluded once theoretical saturation was reached, and the data were analysed using the Giorgi proposal.
A total of 26 residents with a mean age of 83 years were included. Three main themes that describe the significance of meals in nursing homes emerged from the data: (i) timing of the meals - mealtimes serve as a point of reference for organizing activities in the nursing home and orient the residents during the day; (ii) table allocation - table allocation depends on the judgment of the personnel, the behavior of each resident and on the input from the residents that use a table; and (iii) the meals themselves - food is experienced as a privilege, as a sign of autonomy and normality, and as an indicator of personal identity.
Understanding the social significance of meals for residents in nursing homes would provide deeper insight into resident expectations. This will in turn help to improve service and quality of life for residents.
本研究旨在探讨西班牙养老院居民用餐体验的意义。
采用定性现象学方法。对马德里南部营利性养老院的西班牙居民进行了初步有目的的抽样。为了更深入地了解依赖性，还进行了理论抽样。养老院居民的纳入标准为：年龄（60 岁或以上）和无任何认知障碍。使用非结构化和半结构化访谈收集数据。一旦达到理论饱和度，便停止数据收集，并使用 Giorgi 提案对数据进行分析。
共纳入 26 名平均年龄为 83 岁的居民。数据中出现了三个描述养老院用餐意义的主要主题：（i）用餐时间 - 用餐时间是组织养老院活动的参考点，并为日间活动提供方向；（ii）餐桌分配 - 餐桌分配取决于工作人员的判断、每位居民的行为以及使用餐桌的居民的意见；（iii）餐食本身 - 食物被视为一种特权，是自主和正常的标志，也是个人身份的指标。
了解养老院居民用餐的社会意义，可以更深入地了解居民的期望。这反过来又有助于提高居民的服务和生活质量。
