Impact of the Experience of Eating Together on Long-Term Care Patients With Dysphagia and Their Families—Using Inclusive Foods—

Abstract

Objective: To study the effects of the experience of eating together on – long-term care patients with dysphagia, their families, and participating nurses, and to obtain insights for future efforts.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five nurses who participated in the initiative. Qualitative inductive analysis was done with reference to Sato’s qualitative data analysis method.

Results: The following conceptual categories were extracted: [demonstration of latent power] for the patients, [reminiscence of former patients] for the family members, and [recognition of nursing practices] for the nurses. In addition, [special environment] was extracted as the background for the influence.

Conclusion: This project brought about changes in the activities of daily living (ADLs) of the patients, and family members who saw the reactions recalled things about the patients’ past. The nurses reflected on their own nursing practices through the reactions of the patients and their families. This study suggests the need to clarify the factors necessary for a “special environment,” to devise a way for ensuring safety of patients, and to lessen the time and physical burden on nurses.