Characteristics of Eating Behavior in Elders with Dementia residing in Long-Term Care Facilities

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore characteristics of eating behavior according to level of functional status of elders with dementia (EWD), and to examine feeding time, change in food intake and body mass index (BMI) according to eating behavior. Methods: Participants were 149 EWD residing in long-term care facilities located in Seoul or Gyeonggi province and evaluated using the Mini-Mental State Exam-Korean version, Korean version-Activities of Daily Living, and Eating Behavior Scale (EBS). Feeding time, change in food intake, and BMI were also measured. Data were analyzed using SPSS 17.0, specifically descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and Chi-square test. Results: Participants' mean EBS score was 10.43±6.01 and half of them (54.4%) needed moderate or total assistance while eating. The EBS score was significantly lower for elders with severe dementia compared to those with mild or moderate dementia; and elders with severe ADL dependence compared to those with mild or moderate ADL dependence. Lower EBS scores were related to longer feeding time, a greater the rate of participants with decreased food intake and 'underweight' BMI. Conclusion: Nursing intervention programs which are designed for EWD are needed to maintain functional eating skills and prevent negative consequences in this population.

<p>Feasibility of a Mobile Meal Assistance Program for Direct Care Workers in Long-Term Care Facilities in South Korea</p>

“…A classification score of more than 12 points indicates mild dependence, 6–11 points indicate moderate dependence, and less than 5 points indicate severe dependence. 32 Nurses trained to use the Eating Behavior Scale measured all resident participants. In their study, Tully et al 31 found the reliability between inspectors was 0.959.…”

High feeding dependence prevalence in residents living in Italian nursing homes requires new policies: Findings from a regionally based cross-sectional study

“…In accordance to our findings, more than half of the residents (56.7%) were in need of partial or total help in feeding: specifically, two patients out of ten required complete assistance by NH carers while around four patients out of ten required partial assistance. The feeding dependence that emerged is high and seems to be unique compared to that documented at the international levels, ranging from 14.6% [16] to 54.4% [18]. As a consequence of this high prevalence specific policies are required.…”

“…In Spain, among 3,921 residents living in 86 NHs, 373 residents in 23 NHs were selected and 60 (17.3%) were diagnosed with dysphagia and 50 (13.4%) with feeding difficulties [17]. In contrast, in 149 residents with dementia and living in long-term care facilities located in Seoul, 54.4% were in need of moderate or total assistance while eating [18]. In New Zealand, Boyd and colleagues [19], in their multiple cross-sectional study design evaluating functional decline in NH residents over 20 years, reported that the proportion of those highly dependent increased from 16% (1988) to 21% (2008); specifically, those residents requiring assistance in feeding were 35% and 25%, respectively.…”

Factors associated with Feeding Difficulty in Long-term Care Facility Older Adults with Dementia

“…이 정•류세앙 을 말한다 [5]. 또한 [4,15,16], 일상생활수행능력 [4,16,17], 체질량 지수(Body Mass Index, BMI) [15], 식사 장소 및 식이 형태 [17], 식사를 지원하는 간호제공자와의 상호작용 [8]…”