Publication details
Možnosti aktérství ve vyšším věku v kontextu péče na příkladu stravování
| Title in English | Possibilities for agency in later life in the context of care, using the example of meals |
|---|---|
| Authors | |
| Year of publication | 2026 |
| Type | Appeared in Conference without Proceedings |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | Food and eating serve many important functions in our lives; in addition to its nutritional role, it also plays an identity-forming, social, symbolic, and emotional role. Food is the axis around which our lives revolve. It acts as a social glue and is closely linked to our identity. At the same time, as we age, another aspect of food gains significance: its impact on health. Health care is often perceived as conflicting with the pleasure that food brings. The pleasure of eating stems not only from the enjoyment of the food’s taste itself, but also from its social aspects—the opportunity to share a meal. At the same time, food is used as a means of care. Yet preparing food is often seen as a demanding and tedious task. Grocery shopping or having meals delivered is often one of the first tasks that a person in need of care delegates to others. This changes their eating routine, just as it limits their ability to decide on the composition of their meals, how they are served, or when they are eaten. The research project Meaning of Food in Old Age (GA23-06348S), on which this article is based, focused on the non-nutritional meanings of food and how these change with age and the need for care. In total, we conducted 73 in-depth interviews with older men and women in their home environments and in care homes, as well as 16 interviews with care home staff. Participants varied in their level of care dependency, ranging from those who were completely independent to bedridden residents in special care units. The research also included observations of eating routines (observations, photographs, and video recordings in nursing home dining rooms). In this paper, I examine the significance that food takes on in the lives of the ageing. I will focus on questions of negotiating dietary practices in old age in the context of care, health, and opportunities for agency. |
| Related projects: |