Impact of Oral and Swallowing Function on the Feeding Status of Older Adults in Nursing Homes

Gerontology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Sirima Kulvanich ◽  
Kayoko Ito ◽  
Eri Takei ◽  
Haruka Sakai ◽  
Risa Suzumi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Significant Relationship ◽  
Test Score ◽  
Swallowing Function ◽  
Cooked Rice ◽  
Food Consistency ◽  
Swallowing Difficulty ◽  
Side Dishes ◽  
Dietary Food

<b><i>Background:</i></b> To date, there have been few guidelines proposed for adjustment of the food consistency, particularly to match the oral function of older adults, which will guide clinicians and caregivers in appropriately modifying food. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> We investigated how oral, swallowing, and cognitive conditions of older adults who required daily nursing care in a nursing home were associated with different dietary food consistencies. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Clinical examinations to record dentition status, swallowing, and cognitive functions were performed, and the feeding status, including the food consistencies and need for assistance at lunchtime, was evaluated in 37 older residents in nursing homes. The swallowing function was assessed by performing a modified water-swallowing test, and food swallowing was tested using pudding and rice crackers. The χ<sup>2</sup> test was used to determine the relationships among the parameters. <b><i>Results:</i></b> No participants were able to take cooked rice, nor regular and soft side dishes. There was no significant relationship between dentition status and feeding status. Of the participants, 95% ate pudding without any problems and 49% ate rice crackers without any signs of swallowing difficulty such as coughing or stopping chewing. There was a significant relationship between the food test score using a rice cracker and the level of food consistencies, and between the same test score and the level of mealtime assistance, whereby the better the score of the food test using a rice cracker, the better was the level of food consistencies including use of a thickening agent and the better was the level of mealtime assistance. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> The results strongly suggest that the food test using a rice cracker was associated with the level of food consistency and mealtime assistance for older adults in nursing homes.

Uitbraak COVID-19 in de verpleeghuiszorg

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Nursing Home ◽  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
Informal Caregivers ◽  
Rapid Review ◽  
Daily Routine ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Care Facilities

Long-term care for older adults is highly affect by the COVID-19 outbreak. The objective of this rapid review is to understand what we can learn from previous crises or disasters worldwide to optimize the care for older adults in long term care facilities during the outbreak of COVID-19. We searched five electronic databases to identify potentially relevant articles. In total, 23 articles were included in this study. Based on the articles, it appeared that nursing homes benefit from preparing for the situation as best as they can. For instance, by having proper protocols and clear division of tasks and collaboration within the organization. In addition, it is helpful for nursing homes to collaborate closely with other healthcare organizations, general practitioners, informal caregivers and local authorities. It is recommended that nursing homes pay attention to capacity and employability of staff and that they support or relieve staff where possible. With regard to care for the older adults, it is important that staff tries to find a new daily routine in the care for residents as soon as possible. Some practical tips were found on how to communicate with people who have dementia. Furthermore, behavior of people with dementia may change during a crisis. We found tips for staff how to respond and act upon behavior change. After the COVID-19 outbreak, aftercare for staff, residents, and informal caregivers is essential to timely detect psychosocial problems. The consideration between, on the one hand, acute safety and risk reduction (e.g. by closing residential care facilities and isolating residents), and on the other hand, the psychosocial consequences for residents and staff, were discussed in case of other disasters. Furthermore, the search of how to provide good (palliative) care and to maintain quality of life for older adults who suffer from COVID-19 is also of concern to nursing home organizations. In the included articles, the perspective of older adults, informal caregivers and staff is often lacking. Especially the experiences of older adults, informal caregivers, and nursing home staff with the care for older adults in the current situation, are important in formulating lessons about how to act before, during and after the coronacrisis. This may further enhance person-centered care, even in times of crisis. Therefore, we recommend to study these experiences in future research.

scholarly journals Relationship between Oral Hypofunction and Sarcopenia in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: The Otassha Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
pp. 6666
Author(s):  
Yoshihiro Kugimiya ◽  
Masanori Iwasaki ◽  
Yuki Ohara ◽  
Keiko Motokawa ◽  
Ayako Edahiro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Albumin Level ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Tongue Pressure ◽  
Swallowing Function ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults ◽  
The Relationship

Oral hypofunction, resulting from a combined decrease in multiple oral functions, may affect systemic-condition deterioration; however, few studies have examined the association between oral hypofunction and general health among older adults. In this cross-sectional study, we examined the relationship between oral hypofunction and sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults. We included 878 adults (268 men and 610 women, mean age 76.5 ± 8.3 years). Tongue coating index, oral moisture, occlusal force, oral diadochokinesis (/pa/,/ta/,/ka/), tongue pressure, mas-ticatory function, and swallowing function were evaluated as indicators of oral hypofunction. Grip strength, gait speed, and skeletal muscle mass index were measured as diagnostic sarcopenia parameters. The association between oral hypofunction and sarcopenia was examined via logistic regression using sarcopenia as the dependent variable. Oral hypofunction prevalence was 50.5% overall, 40.3% in men, and 54.9% in women. The prevalence of sarcopenia was 18.6% overall, 9.7% in men, and 22.5% in women. A logistic regression showed oral hypofunction, age, body mass index, higher-level functional capacity, and serum albumin level were significantly associated with sarcopenia. Sarcopenia occurred at an increased frequency in patients diagnosed with oral hypofunction (odds ratio: 1.59, 95% confidence interval: 1.02–2.47); accordingly, oral hypofunction appears to be significantly associated with sarcopenia.

Impact of Activity Participation and Depression on Glycemic Control in Older Adults With Diabetes: Glycemic Control in Nursing Homes

2011 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 139-144
Author(s):  
J. L. Bellissimo ◽  
R. M. Holt ◽  
S. M. Maus ◽  
T. L. Marx ◽  
F. L. Schwartz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Glycemic Control ◽  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Activity Participation

Increasing Student Empathy Toward Older Adults Using the Virtual Dementia Tour

2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. S-23-S-40
Author(s):  
Jana Donahoe ◽  
Lisa Moon ◽  
Kathy VanCleave
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Experiential Learning ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Student Knowledge ◽  
Course Content

Educators know too well the challenges of teaching BSW students about social work practice with older adults. Students hesitate to work with older adults due to personal fears about aging, lack of experiences with this population, or stereotypical misconceptions about older adults and nursing homes. It is apparent that many students have difficulty empathizing with older adults because they have never experienced what it is like to be an older adult with dementia. A solution to this problem is incorporating an immersive experiential learning simulation called the Virtual Dementia Tour (VDT) into BSW course content. The findings indicate that the VDT was an effective evidence-based learning tool for increasing student knowledge about aging and improving their empathy and sensitivity toward older adults with dementia.

Virtual Reality to Help Older People in Nursing Homes: A New Way to Reduce Psychological Symptoms?

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vaillant Ciszewicz AJ ◽  
◽  
Guerin O ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Older People ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Psychological Disorders ◽  
Innovative Approach ◽  
Older Population

Older people living in nursing homes often present with psychological symptoms such as depression, anxiety and apathy. Numerous studies focused on the effects of Virtual Reality (VR) in the older population. This innovative approach could lead to a significant reduction in psychological disorders in older adults and improve their quality of life.

scholarly journals Lower Skeletal Muscle Mass at Admission Independently Predicts Falls and Mortality 3 Months Post-discharge in Hospitalized Older Patients

2018 ◽  
Vol 74 (10) ◽  
pp. 1650-1656 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esmee M Reijnierse ◽  
Sjors Verlaan ◽  
Vivien K Pham ◽  
Wen Kwang Lim ◽  
Carel G M Meskers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Muscle Mass ◽  
Older Patients ◽  
Test Score ◽  
Handgrip Strength ◽  
Bed Rest ◽  
Post Discharge ◽  
Male Sex ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal

Abstract Background Approximately 10% of older adults are annually admitted to a hospital. Hospitalization is associated with a higher risk of falls and mortality after discharge. This study aimed to identify predictors at admission for falls and mortality 3 months post-discharge in hospitalized older patients. Methods The Evaluation of Muscle parameters in a Prospective cohort of Older patients at clinical Wards Exploring Relations with bed rest and malnutrition (EMPOWER) study is an observational, prospective longitudinal inception cohort of 378 patients aged 70 years and older who were subsequently admitted to a tertiary hospital (the Netherlands). Potential predictors for falls and mortality 3 months post-discharge were tested using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses and included the following domains: demographic (age, sex, living independently), lifestyle (alcohol, smoking), nutrition (SNAQ score), muscle mass (absolute, relative), physical function (handgrip strength, Katz ADL score), cognition (six-item cognitive impairment test score), and disease (medications, diseases). Results The mean age was 79.6 years (standard deviation 6.23) and 50% were male. Within 3 months post-discharge, 19% reported a fall and 13% deceased. Univariate predictors for falls were higher age, lower absolute muscle mass and higher six-item cognitive impairment test score. Lower absolute muscle mass independently predicted falls post-discharge (multivariate). Univariate predictors for mortality were higher age, male sex, no current alcohol use, higher SNAQ score, lower absolute and higher relative muscle mass, higher Katz ADL score and higher number of diseases. Male sex, higher SNAQ score, and lower absolute muscle mass independently predicted mortality post-discharge (multivariate). Conclusions In hospitalized older adults, muscle mass should be measured to predict future outcome. Future intervention studies should investigate if increasing muscle mass prevent short-term falls and mortality.

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