Open AccessEating problems among old home care clients
Author(s) -
Salmi Annina,
Komulainen Kaija,
Nihtilä Annamari,
Tiihonen Miia,
Nykänen Irma,
Hartikainen Sirpa,
Suominen Anna L.
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
clinical and experimental dental research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.464
H-Index - 9
ISSN - 2057-4347
DOI - 10.1002/cre2.585
Subject(s) - nutritionist , medicine , toothache , dentures , odds ratio , family medicine , gerontology , dentistry , pathology
Aims The purpose was to examine the prevalence and determinants of self‐reported eating problems in old home care clients, screened separately by a clinical nutritionist and a dental hygienist. Methods and Results The data came from the Nutrition, Oral Health and Medication (NutOrMed) study, the participants of which were ≥75‐year‐old home care clients living in Finland. The structured interviews were conducted at the participants' ( n = 250) homes. Of the participants, 29% reported poor appetite, 20% had problems with chewing, and 14% had problems with swallowing when asked by a clinical nutritionist. Additionally, 18% reported oral health‐related eating problems when asked by a dental hygienist. Participants with continuous xerostomia (odds ratio [OR]: 3.0, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.0–9.0) or poor self‐reported oral health (OR: 4.3, 95% CI: 1.4–13.0) had a higher risk for problems with chewing when asked by a clinical nutritionist. Edentulous participants (OR: 3.5, 95% CI: 1.2–10.9) and participants with toothache or problems with dentures (OR: 10.3, 95% CI: 4.0–26.0) had a higher risk for oral health‐related eating problems when asked by a dental hygienist. Conclusion Eating problems are common in older adults, and interprofessional collaboration is required for their identification and alleviation.