2002 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary

Study of dietary care service in group homes for the elderly with dementia

Research Project

Project/Area Number	13610267
Research Category	Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
Allocation Type	Single-year Grants
Section	一般
Research Field	社会学(含社会福祉関係)
Research Institution	Tochigi Junior College, Kokugakuin University (2002) Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology (2001)
Principal Investigator	YUKAWA Harumi Tochigi Junior College, Kokugakuin University, Department of Home Economics, Associate professor, 家政学科, 助教授 (00260307)
Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha)	NAGATA Kumiko Tokyo Dementia Care Research and Trainning Center, Manager, 研修東京センター, 主任研究主幹
Project Period (FY)	2001 – 2002
Keywords	dementia / group homes / dietary care service / meal preparation
Research Abstract	The objectives of this study were: 1. To investigate the practical situation of meal preparation in group homes that prepare food inside the facility, and 2. To conduct case study on the changes in dietary habit and physical condition after admission to the group home compared with the time of admission. Meal preparation included the processes of shopping, cooking, seasoning and tasting, serving, cleaning up, and garbage disposal. The changes observed at 6 months after admission compared with the time of admission were weight gain, good bowel movement rhythm, improved food pattern, and appearance of black hair. The results demonstrated that meal preparation enriches the daily life and improves the quality of life of residents in group homes.