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Factors affecting optimal nutrition and hydration for people living in specialised dementia care units: A qualitative study of staff caregivers' perceptions
Author(s) -
Nell Debra,
Neville Stephen,
Bellew Roana,
O'Leary Catherine,
Beck Kathryn Louise
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
australasian journal on ageing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.63
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1741-6612
pISSN - 1440-6381
DOI - 10.1111/ajag.12307
Subject(s) - dementia , qualitative research , perception , nursing , focus group , gerontology , psychology , theme (computing) , appeal , cognition , medicine , disease , psychiatry , sociology , social science , political science , law , operating system , pathology , neuroscience , anthropology , computer science
Aim To explore the perceptions of staff caregivers regarding factors affecting optimal nutrition and hydration for individuals living in S pecialised D ementia C are U nits in N ew Z ealand. Methods Qualitative descriptive study using a semi‐structured interview approach with 11 staff caregivers at two S pecialised D ementia C are U nits. Data were analysed using a general inductive approach. Results Two main themes were identified. The first theme ‘It's about the individual’ encompassed individual factors such as appetite, food appeal, and cognitive and functional abilities. The second theme ‘It's about the environment’ encompassed factors relating to the dining environment, the social aspects to dining and the provision of support with mealtime activities. Conclusions Factors affecting nutrition and hydration in people living with dementia are complex and inter‐related. Organisations providing specialised dementia care, their staff and foodservice providers should focus on both the individual and environment to ensure optimal nutrition and hydration for the people in their care.