Journal of Japan Academy of Gerontological Nursing
Online ISSN : 2432-0811
Print ISSN : 1346-9665
Volume 23, Issue 2
Displaying 1-13 of 13 articles from this issue
Foreword
Special Issue 1: The 23rd Annual Scientific Meeting of Japan Academy of Gerontological Nursing Presidential Address
Special Issue 2: Topics in Dementia Care
Original Article
  • Aki Kawada
    2019 Volume 23 Issue 2 Pages 49-58
    Published: 2019
    Released on J-STAGE: February 01, 2020
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

      Prevalence of nasogastric tube feeding is high among older adult inpatients with dysphagia. However, it is not known whether ingestion while intubated reduces distress from loss of oral intake. Therefore, this study examined the distress associated with loss of oral intake (inability to drink, inability to chew, inability to taste food, inability to eat and drink what was desired, deprived of opportunity to eat while socializing, being exposed to others’ meals, and thirst) in each degree of ingestion.

      Participants who were selected based on the eligible criteria were 29 older adult inpatients from three urban hospitals with nasogastric tubes for dysphagia from a variety of causes. The level of distress associated with loss of oral intake was not significantly different between the non-ingestion group (n=14) and the ingestion group (n=15) (p=.27). However, the distress level related to inability to eat and drink what they wanted was significantly lower in the ingestion group compared with the non-ingestion group (p=.04), therefore distress may be relieved by ingestion while being intubated. Furthermore the duration of intubation and the level of distress were negatively correlated (r=-0.46, p=.01). Distress level was significantly higher in the under 30 days compared to over 30 days for intubation(p<.01). The older adult inpatients receiving nasogastric tubes need early nursing care to address the potential distress related to alterations in their ingestion patterns.

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Brief Reports
  • Mayumi Suganuma, Shizue Nitta, Narumi Tofukuji, Tamami Taniguchi
    2019 Volume 23 Issue 2 Pages 59-67
    Published: 2019
    Released on J-STAGE: February 01, 2020
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

      The present study aimed to clarify the support methods and feelings of care-managers (CMs) pertaining to intentions of elderly individuals, who were in need of care, regarding their end-of-life. Eight CMs including 7 females, with a mean age of 45.0 years (SD=6.9) and 4-14 years of managerial experience were interviewed in a focus group. Verbal data were collected and analyzed using a qualitative descriptive analysis.

      The results revealed that CMs supported the elderly by <assessing the elderly’s condition>, <inferring their relationships>, <making it easy for them to talk>, <citing reasons for support> <respecting their expressed intentions>, <understanding the situation>, and <guiding their intentions for their future life>. Although CMs initially felt <anxious about supporting>, they realized <the significance> and <needs> after confirming the elderly’s intentions regarding their end-of-life. The present study may suggest that CMs support the elderly based on individual needs and recognize meanings and needs pertaining to intentions of the elderly in need of care by validating them.

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  • Kanna Furuta, Yachiyo Sasaki, Midori Shirai
    2019 Volume 23 Issue 2 Pages 68-74
    Published: 2019
    Released on J-STAGE: February 01, 2020
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

      Purpose: The aim of this study was to clarify the factors of physical effects on the elderly as a result of accidents of falling from a sitting position.

      Methods: Nurses working in three long-term care health facilities were asked to identify accidents in which a person fell from a sitting position from among all accident reports in the past year. Information on the accident circumstances and characteristics of the elderly people involved was obtained. Using a logistic model, the effects of sex, and level of independence in daily living of elderly people with dementia were adjusted and the odds ratios (OR) were calculated.

      Results: In 112 accidents of falling from a sitting position, the highest proportion (50.9%) occurred in living rooms. There were physical effects in 22 cases (19.6%). More elderly people with a sideways tilt in the upper body had a physical effect than those without a tilt (OR=6.93, p=0.016).

      Discussion: Physical effects in elderly people resulting from accidents of falling from a sitting position are affected by a sideways tilt in the upper body, suggesting the importance of watching over elderly people with a focus on posture when they are sitting.

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  • Ryo Tachihara, Sachiko Hara, Mitsumi Ono
    2019 Volume 23 Issue 2 Pages 75-83
    Published: 2019
    Released on J-STAGE: February 01, 2020
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

      The purpose of our study was to clarify experiences of families who support the life of elderly dementia patients after the onset of hemodialysis treatment. Semi-structured interviews were conducted for 7 family members of elderly dementia patients undergoing outpatient hemodialysis treatment, and the answers were qualitatively and descriptively analyzed. The results were classified into 5 categories: 1) attentively observe the treating doctor’s cautions which the patient forgets, 2) sit close to the patient and cope with difficulties in undergoing hemodialysis, 3) devise methods to enable the patient to continue personal pleasures as before starting hemodialysis, 4) find and manage physical problems related to hemodialysis which is difficult for the patient to convey by words, and 5) positively accept the fact of starting hemodialysis after going through mental conflict whether or not to choose hemodialysis for the dementia patient. Family members were noted to have been helping patients to undergo hemodialysis considering the patient’s capability, while coping with words and behavior of the patient, daily life, and physical condition. Appropriate support measures by nurses is necessary as early as possible after the onset of dialysis treatment, to enable care of the patient by the family at home. Also, relationship between the nurses and the patients’ family members is important though acknowledging their effort in respecting and bringing out the remaining capability of the elderly dementia patient, so that they can positively accept the fact of starting hemodialysis.

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