ASSESSING THE RISK OF OLDER ADULTS TO FOOD BORNE ILLNESS
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this research study is to develop a screening instrument that can be used by older adults who live independently to determine their risk to food borne illness. There are several steps in this. development that are identified as specific objectives: (1) measure the responses of independent living older adults to factors influencing risk to food borne illness; (2) determine profiles of independent living older adults at risk of food borne illness; (3) develop a screening instrument for determining risk to food borne illness of independent living older adults.
APPROACH: An assessment instrument to determine the risk of older adults to food borne illness will include the following measures: (1) Food Safety Knowledge Test; (2) Nutrition Health Status Checklist; (3) Health Status;
(4) Daily Functioning Ability; (5) Food Handling Practices Checklist; (6) Meal Patterns; (7) Personal Characteristics; and (8) Environmental Characteristics. All participants in the congregate meals program in Guilford County, North Carolina, will be asked to participate in the study. Data will be collected through a personal interview conducted via telephone or through a face-to-face interview. Results of the data analysis will form the basis of a checklist for screening risk factors of older adults to having food borne illness. A panel of food safety experts will assist in assigning weights to the screening items. The criteria for development include a one-page screening instrument that can be scored by older adults or practitioners in determining their particular risk level to food borne illness.
PROGRESS: 1999/01 TO 1999/12
The purpose of the study is to describe the food safety practices of elderly persons who live independently and to examine factors related these food safety practices. The specific objectives are the following: (1)
Describe the food safety practices of older adults; (2) Identify unsafe food safety practices of older adults; (3) Determine the relationship of food safety practices among older adults to certain demographic and housing characteristics (gender and kitchen facilities) as well as to behavioral factors (meal pattern, attitudes/beliefs, and knowledge); and (4) Provide data for the development of an assessment protocol to identify elderly persons who practice unsafe food habits as well as for the development of effective training materials to educate older adults on safe food handling practices. Objective 1 focuses on the development of both an assessment instrument to determine the food safety practices of older adults as well as interview protocol and procedures. Two focus groups with independent living older adults have been conducted to determine their food safety practices, meal patterns, available kitchen facilities, food handling practices and related topics. Focus group participants also shared the sources and types of food brought into their homes as well as storage and cooking practices. The terminology and breadth of practices will guide the instrument development to assure that the questionnaire is understandable and pertinent to the targeted group. The instrument is being finalized
PUBLICATIONS: 1999/01 TO 1999/12
No publications reported this period
PROJ NO: NCX-151-5-99-170-1 AGENCY: CSRS NC.X
PROJ TYPE: EVANS-ALLEN PROJ. STATUS: NEW
START: 01 OCT 1998 TERM: 30 SEP 2001 FY: 1999INVESTIGATOR: Turner, C. S.
PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
HUMAN ENVIRONMENT & FAMILY SCI
NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIV
GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA 27411