Development of a Self-Rated Quality of Life Scale for Older Adults with Dysphagia Receiving Food Support and Its Application to Nutrition Support Team

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K21433
• Project/Area Number (Other): 18H06350 (2018)
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund (2019); Single-year Grants (2018)
• Review Section: 0908:Society medicine, nursing, and related fields
• Research Institution: St. Luke's International University
• Principal Investigator: KAWADA Aki 聖路加国際大学, 大学院看護学研究科, 助教 (30826194)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-08-24 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 概念分析 / 食支援 / 高齢者

Outline of Final Research Achievements

【Objective】　The purpose of this study was to develop a QOL evaluation scale for older adults with dysphagia who receive food support.
The scope of QOL affected by food support was examined through a conceptual analysis of "food support for the older adults," and QOL assessment items were generated through an interview survey with two certificated care workers. The results of the conceptual analysis indicated that food support is multifaceted but commonly aimed at supporting the joy of eating by mouth, that the establishment of a community support system is related to QOL, and that it is necessary to evaluate the QOL of family caregivers as well. As a result of the interview survey, a total of 18 items were generated as QOL evaluation items: 10 items for physical aspects, 5 items for mental aspects, and 3 items for social aspects.

Free Research Field

看護学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究により、これまで明らかになっていなかった「高齢者への食支援」という概念の理解が深められ、食支援が高齢者のQOLへどのような影響を与え得るものであるのか知見を得ることにつながった。また、インタビュー調査により実臨床で起きている、摂食嚥下障害を持つ高齢者の食支援によるQOLの変化が言語化され、QOLの評価項目の生成に至った。