1. [Home food services for the elderly: the consumer and his appreciation of a warm meal service in Arnhem].
- Author
-
Sneeuw KC, Stam PG, de Graaf C, and van Staveren WA
- Subjects
- Activities of Daily Living, Aged, Female, Humans, Male, Netherlands, Quality Control, Quality of Life, Consumer Behavior, Food Services standards, Home Care Services standards
- Abstract
An important instrument to achieve prolonged independence of elderly is the provision of meals, in particular cooked meals at home. The purpose of the present study is an evaluation from the consumers perspective of a meals-on-wheels service in Arnhem. Furthermore, the 77 meals-on-wheels consumers in this study, all making intensive use of the service, are described and compared to a representative sample of elderly. The participants appeared to be vulnerable from the perspective of health (particularly the women) and social situation. The perceived quality of both meals and service seem to be high. The taste, the quality of the meat and the first impression of the meal are important determinants of overall perceived meal quality. Responsiveness and reliability have a significant contribution to perceived service quality.
- Published
- 1991