Naomi Kuramoto, Master of Social Work, Kenji Suzuki, Doctor of Engineering, Shinobu Watanabe, Master of Science in Nursing, Kikue Hidaka, Doctor of Medicine
Jpn J Compr Rehabil Sci 9: 34-42, 2018
Objective: Based on a questionnaire survey of
caregivers in nursing homes, this study aimed to
describe 1) the caregiversf basic characteristics, 2) the
current mealtime assistance settings, and 3) the
differences in the frequency of checking the residents
during general care as well as before, during, and after
mealtime assistance according to the caregiversf
experience of attending lectures, their profession, and
gender.
Methods: A questionnaire survey was distributed to
18 nursing homes in Ibaraki Prefecture in Japan and
caregivers currently providing mealtime assistance
answered the questions.
Results: Out of 695 distributed questionnaire surveys,
493 were answered (return rate: 70.9%). The majority
of respondents were female (70.9%) and were care
workers (78.7%). Most of them felt anxious about
mealtime assistance. There were differences in the
frequency of checking the residents according to the
caregiversf experience of attending lectures, their
profession (nurses or care workers), and gender.
Conclusions: To provide mealtime assistance in a safe
and relaxed environment, the nursing home managers
need to offer psychological support to the nursing
home staff. In addition, it is important to provide
lectures that take into account the caregiversf
professions and genders.
Key words: nursing homes, mealtime assistance, dysphagia, elderly, elder care