Importance of satisfaction with food for older adults’ quality of life

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships among satisfaction with food-related life (SWFL), perceived foodservice quality, and quality of life for older adults.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey done using face-to-face interviews of older adults residing in long-term care facilities. A total of 238 older adults participated in this study.

Findings

The results showed that perceived foodservice quality had a strong association with SWFL; SWFL had a significant positive association with quality of life; perceived foodservice quality positively related to quality of life. Increased SWFL would improve quality of older adults.

Research limitations/implications

This study has limitations related to convenience sample. Different sampling could help with generalization of results.

Practical implications

Foodservice managers in long-term care facilitates should try to maximize food and service qualities for residents because improving food and service quality improves their quality of life. For example, offering a variety of menus to allow older adults to enjoy food and improve their SWFL.

Originality/value

This study emphasized that food was important to older adults and helped determine quality of life for them. SWFL was rarely empirically examined in the previous research.

Citation

Jeong, J. and Seo, S. (2014), "Importance of satisfaction with food for older adults’ quality of life", British Food Journal, Vol. 116 No. 8, pp. 1276-1290. https://doi.org/10.1108/BFJ-01-2013-0019