Background & Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the deteriorations in nutrition, swallowing, cognition, and independence among geriatric people with Alzheimer’s disease who are living with their families (PWADLF), to examine how these conditions relate to and how much they affect the patients’ qualities of life. Methods: Standardized Mini-Mental Examination (SMMSE), Barthel Index (BI), Bedside Water Swallow Test (BWST), The Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), and Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) were determined. Results: According to the BWST results, 31.1% of patients had dysphagia. It was observed that 49.6% of the patients were at risk of malnutrition, and 30.3% were malnourished; 16% were highly dependent, 58.8% were moderately dependent, and only 1.7% were completely independent. It was observed that the SMMSE, MNA, and BI variables had a significant impact on the NHP variable. Conclusions: It was found in this study that elderly PWADLF are at risk for dysphagia and malnutrition. As the stage of patients progressed, it was observed that the risk of dysphagia and malnutrition increased, and their independence levels and quality of life decreased. It was found that quality of life is related to independence, nutrition, and cognitive level, and these conditions have a significant effect on the quality of life, respectively. Therefore, conditions such as malnutrition, which may decrease the quality of life in people with Alzheimer’s disease, should be evaluated early, and necessary corrective measures taken.

Background and Objective: Swallowing and nutritional disorders can occur for many different reasons after stroke. This study aimed to evaluate dysphagia, malnutrition, and independence in patients with an acute period of ischemic stroke, and to examine the relationship between dysphagia and lesion location, cognition, malnutrition, and dependence. Methods: Ischemic stroke patients (n: 109, mean age: 72.91 ± 11.78 year) were evaluated within the first 5 days after stroke. Standardized Mini-Mental State Examination (SMMSE), Combining pulse oximetry with a 10 milliliter (ml) Bedside Water Drinking Test (CPOBWDT), Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), and Barthel Index (BI) were performed. Results: Dysphagia was detected in 57.8% of the patients; malnutrition was present in 19.27% and 55.96% were at risk of malnutrition. In patients with dysphagia, it was observed that the most common site of infarct involved the superior cortical division of the middle cerebral artery. SMME (p<0.001) and BI (p=0.001) were significantly worse in patients with dysphagia than patients without dysphagia. Conclusion: This study showed that more than half of the ischemic stroke patients are at risk of dysphagia and malnutrition in the acute period after stroke. The localization of the infarct and a decrease in the cognitive level are among the factors that are associated with dysphagia. Dysphagia is associated with increased dependence for functional activities. Therefore, in patients with ischemic stroke, swallowing and malnutrition should be evaluated during the acute phase.