A Study on the Demand for Development of Nutrition Education Program for Elderly Welfare Facilities : Focusing on in-depth interviews

The purpose of this study was to investigate characteristics and nutrition education needs of elderly residents in senior welfare facilities and provide foundational data for the development of tailored nutrition education programs. This study involved in-depth one-on-one interviews with eight facility staff members in senior welfare facilities. Results indicated a need for education on dietary management, nutrition management for chronic disease, and personal hygiene management methods. Additionally, participants expressed a preference for visual media, printed materials such as pamphlets and educational booklets, and online resources, taking into account physical characteristics of the elderly. They emphasized the necessity of activity-based experiential education to alleviate depression of the elderly. Preferred operational methods included difficulty levels suitable for children and short education periods. They suggested that nutrition educators should possess attitudes tailored to characteristics of the target audience. This information contributes to the provision of tailored nutrition education in senior welfare facilities.