Literature review: prevention of aspiration in the elderly overseas

Abstract

Objective: This review seeks to identify trends and issues in preventing aspiration for the elderly overseas in the hopes of gathering information regarding how a similar level of care may be provided in Japan.

Materials and Methods: The authors used the CHINAL Ultimate database to review academic publications from December 2012 to December 2022. Four terms, one from each of four sets of keywords, were combined as search criteria: (1) “dysphagia”, “aspiration”, “choking”, “airway obstruction asphyxia”, “swallowing function”, or “pneumonia”, (2) “aged” or “elderly people”, (3) “nursing” or “nursing care”, and (4) prevention. Papers that did not directly relate to the purpose of this review were excluded.

Results: The authors identified fourteen publications regarding preventative care for aspiration in the elderly. According to the reports, preventative care mainly consisted of ensuring proper oral care, screening to assess swallowing function, and taking steps at meals to prevent aspiration.

Conclusion: Our research showed that the primary ways of preventing aspiration in the elderly overseas included (1) screening for oral conditions and swallowing function to prevent pneumonia and (2) providing proper oral care coupled with support during meals.