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

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and examine the preliminary effectiveness of a mobile application-based meal assistant training program (APP) for use by direct care workers (CAs) assisting residents with dementia in long-term care facilities in South Korea. Methods We adopted a mixed methods research design, which included a pre- and post-intervention study and focus group interviews for the feasibility assessment. Participants included 23 dyads of older adults with dementia and their CAs from a long-term care facility in South Korea. Upon completion of the APP intervention, focused group interviews were conducted with six CAs and five nurses. Results The results of paired t -tests showed that the effects of the APP intervention on the older adults with dementia and their CAs were not significant; however, the results of the focused group interviews support the potential usefulness of the APP for CAs. Conclusion The APP may be applicable to long-term care workers who need meal assistant skills education.

Interventions to address mealtime support needs in dementia: A scoping review

“…Measures for residents’ challenging behaviors included, in the group of environmental interventions, an evaluation of agitation, using The Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI) [ 56 – 59 ]. Among the mealtime assistance, staff training, and multicomponent interventions, the assessment of the feeding behaviors of residents predominates, either using EdFED [ 51 – 53 , 55 , 60 ] or the Eating Behavior Scale [ 17 , 60 ].…”

“…Its effectiveness was measured through the staff’s skills and the food intake and feeding behaviors of the residents during meals. The other study developed a mobile application for staff education on meal attendance and its preliminary effects were identified in staff and in residents [ 17 ].…”

“…In one of the studies, despite the positive impact on staff, food intake, and eating behaviors of residents did not change [ 55 ]. The intervention through a mobile application did not present significant results either for the residents or for the staff [ 17 ].…”

“…These individuals may be unable (partially or completely) to start or keep attention to mealtime tasks, take the food to the mouth, chew, or swallow, or have behaviors such as apathy, wandering, refusal, or indifference during mealtime [ 10 ]. The consequences of mealtime support needs can lead to a range of complications, from weight loss, malnutrition, and dehydration to caregiver stress and less opportunity to socialize [ 16 , 17 ].…”

Eating Difficulties among Older Adults with Dementia in Long-Term Care Facilities: A Scoping Review

“…In some cases, knowledge, behavior, and attitude all improved [ 23 ], but in others, caregiver knowledge and behavior improved while attitude did not [ 24 ]. This inconsistency may have been due to the differences in the intervention periods, as sufficient time is needed for knowledge acquisition to be reflected by changes in attitudes and behaviors [ 48 , 75 ]. In this regard, the use of web or mobile education to teach at an individual’s speed during their free time might be useful for encouraging self-efficacy [ 15 , 76 ] among caregivers.…”