2013 Volume 17 Issue 2 Pages 153-163
In 2009, Niigata University Hospital opened Dysphagia Support Station where the specialists support dysphagic patients or their families. The aim of this study was to conduct questionnaire survey to the visitors and to have a grip of problems in these patients at home.
Between October in 2009 and November in 2012, the number of visitors who answered our questionnaire was 370 of total 2,433 visitors. Major ages of them were between 50 and 80 (68.4%). More than a half of visitors were not patients but patients’ family or carers (59.4%). The ratio of the patients who had any problems with diet was 87.3% and what they need were supporting chewing or swallowing problems or care foods.
Daily and clinical intervention to dysphagic patients, especially the elderly at home is needed by the specialists. The results of the present study suggest that Dysphagia Support Station should spread to support not only the patients but also their families.
