Occurrence of Malnutrition among Seniors in Poland Depending on the Place of Residence: An Analysis of Socioeconomic and Health Risk Factors

The aging population in Poland poses significant socioeconomic and health challenges, particularly regarding malnutrition among seniors. This study examines the impact of place of residence on the nutritional status and related health outcomes of older adults. Data were collected from 338 community-dwelling seniors and those in long-term care facilities. The results indicate that long-term care residents exhibited significantly higher frailty and depression levels and poorer nutritional status, functional fitness, gait, and balance compared to those in communities. Self-reported quality of life did not differ significantly between groups. Regardless of residence, having a family correlated with better nutritional status, quality of life, and functional fitness and lower frailty and depression levels. Malnutrition was significantly associated with reduced functional fitness across all residences, and well-nourished individuals in care facilities had lower functional fitness than those who were at home. Community-dwelling residents had significantly lower frailty levels, with frailty negatively correlating with nutritional status. Normal nutritional status was linked to higher balance and gait scores, indicating a lower fall risk, with the risk further reduced for those living in community settings. Additionally, normal nutritional status correlated with lower depression levels and higher quality of life, with malnourished individuals experiencing better quality of life in community-dwelling settings. These findings underscore the critical role of residence and family support in elderly nutrition and health outcomes.