Assessing The Dietary Habits Of The Elderly Living With Spouse And Those Living Alone In Umuahia North L G. A. (Urban And Rural Area)

ABSTRACT

Ageing is the process of growing old. It is the changes that occur as a result of the passing of time Hornby, (1990). Ageing may be defined as the regression of physiological functions accompanied by advancing age (Eastwood, 1997). It is the period between 65 years and above for the elderly, and 80-100 years and above tr the aged. Growing older necessitates changes in life-style. The elderly are identified from among retires from normal active services. Most of them have attained the age 65 years and above; some move to smaller homes in the rural areas; develop and suffer from chronic illness, which makes them to depend on others. In certain cases, some elderly live alone in their various homes; some 01 them are old men and women who are widowed and some live with their spouse (Cheng, 1978). Living alone brings about several fundamental changes in lifestyle. One of the most common is that, often, there is no one to plan and prepare their meals. Furthermore, there is no one to ensure that the individual will eat food that will adequately nourish and energize the body. At the same time consideration of such individuals in order to ensure that the food eaten do not worsen or impair health. (Wagner, 1980).