“I EAT TO NOT DIE”: DIET AND EXERCISE EXPERIENCES OF OLDER ADULTS LIVING ALONE

Abstract Living alone is a critical health risk factor among older adults. Regular exercise and balanced diet are important for maintaining an independent healthy life. However, it can be more difficult adults living to maintain dietary habits due the lack of social support. This was qualitative descriptive study explore life changes that accompany alone, focusing on need improve nutrition physical activity alone. Thematic analyses were applied analyze data collected from semistructured in-depth interviews. Fifteen subjects, including 5 men 10 women, participated in The mean age 77.73 ± 7.37 years, duration 17.73 12.89 years. Six main themes developed: unavoidable difficulties (lack someone depend loneliness), just eating “to not die”, good but hard do conflict between independence dependence others, coping with available resources, resources needed regular diet. led poor habits, such as skipping meals or insufficient food intake. Food security should ensured through reinforcement support, financial assistance, operation public cafeterias. In addition, tailored group program meet interaction self-efficacy would help habits.