Assisting Demented Patients with Feeding: Problems in a Ward Environment. A Review of the Literature

INTRODUCTION treat which promotes mental health demands the maintenance of dignity and independence of patients. in that respect must be an element of intimacy, good communication and a degree of advocacy (Dexter & adenosine monophosphate; Wash 1995). Nowhere is this to a greater extent apparent than in assisting another human being with nutrition themselves. Yet assisting dementia patients with victuals problems is an area of care for explosive charge in which intervention is, in many cases, inadequate, sometimes occasional(a) and, in some cases, potentially life-threatening for the patient. This is a relatively under- inquiryed area of nursing, despite the compelling need for research- base practice.

The intention of this musical theme is to:review the available literature on assisting demented patients with feeding difficulties;consider the implications for nursing and any improvements or changes in nursing practice suggested by the literature; andbriefly outline the process of change, which may be required to realise the implications for nursing, and also the further research still needed to scientifically underpin these recommendations.

For the purposes of the study, Watsons (1993) definition of the depot feeding to mean the act of moving food from the plate to the brim and then swallowing it and difficulty as any aspect of feeding that mightiness lead to reduced intake of food, has been adopted.

REVIEW OF LITERATUREThis review is based on a search using Cumulated Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature on CD ROM. germane(predicate) articles were selected from the list produced and from the reference lists of these articles.

A range of changed eating habits is noticeable in dementia including eating to excess, pica and coprophagia (Fairburn & Hope 1988, Morris et al. 1989). In the later stages of the disease a attach decline in feeding ability to the point of having to be spoon-fed by a care controlr is evident (Singh et al. 1988, Sanders 1990). This can give rise...

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