2020 Volume 24 Issue 1 Pages 26-37
Purpose: Japan is becoming a super-aged society and aspiration pneumonia is a major cause of death among older adults. We aimed to evaluate the oral care and eating function of community-dwelling older adults aged 65 years and over. Furthermore, we attempted to clarify whether the provision of educational guidance regarding oral care and swallowing exercises could change their awareness of health management for eating function.
Methods: One hundred and seventeen older adults enrolled in this study. We provided the participants with guidance about methods for oral care, massage of the salivary glands, and exercises for the muscles around the oral cavity related to swallowing. Before and after the educational program, the participants completed a questionnaire about oral care, eating function, and awareness of management of oral health.
Results: Seventy-seven participants (33 men, 44 women; mean age 76.3±6.1 years) returned completed questionnaires (response rate 65.8%). Among the participants, 21.0% lived alone, 90% ate three meals per day, and 62.3% had dentures. Before the intervention, the participants brushed their teeth with toothpaste an average of 2.4±1.1 times per day, most commonly after breakfast or before going to bed. Approximately 40% of participants showed some symptoms of impaired eating function, for example choking, taking a long time to eat, or having difficulty eating hard foods. Among the participants, 35.1% were aware of swallowing exercises and 41.6% were aware of health care for eating function. After the educational intervention, 74% of the participants showed an improvement in their awareness of health care for eating function and there was a significant increase in the average frequency of daily toothbrushing events among the participants (p ＝ .000). 31.2% of participants expressed an intention to continue swallowing exercises.
Conclusion: This guidance improved the awareness of the participants about health care for eating function. However, since it was difficult to establish knowledge through a single educational session, it would be preferable to provide regular guidance on oral care.
