The relationship between oral health and nutrition status in the institutionalized elderly

• Main Authors: Li-chuan Wang, 王麗娟
• Other Authors: Shyh-Dye Lee
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2010
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/62224390191184307267

碩士 === 國立台北護理學院 === 長期照護研究所 === 98 === Abstract The purpose of the study was trying to understand the relationship between oral health and nutrition status among the institutionalized elderly. We collected 191 subjects who was 65 years old and over, with clear consciousness, communicable in Mandarin and Taiwanese dialects, and able to take food orally. The long-term care facilities (LTCFs) were located in Keelung and Taipei city. Data had been collected through interview, including personal information, oral status, chewing, swallowing, nutritional status and albumin data. The results showed that average age of residents in LTCFs was 81.3±7.3 years old, average remaining teeth number around 12.2, chronic condition prevalence was 87.4%, and they had been administered with 2-3 classes of medications daily. In addition, their education and social-economic level were relatively low in general. Most of them were widows or widowers, and they had stayed in LTCFs for years, however, their ADL dependence shown satisfactorily. MNA score showed 5% of malnutrition and 46.1% at risk of malnutrition. BMI showed 40.2% overweight. Gender, dessert intake, teeth brushing time, ADL, and IADL were all shown to be significantly correlated with remaining teeth number, and the most remarkable one be “teeth brushing time”. Alcohol drinking, social-economic leveling, chewing, swallowing, ADL, and IADL were all shown to be associated with MNA score significantly, and the most remarkable one be “ADL”, “IADL” and “chewing”. Based on the outcomes, the LTCFs were recommended to monitor oral cavity and teeth, diet intake and nutritional indicators with pertinent check-ups and interviews. Semiannual check-up of oral cavity and teeth at dentist’s clinics should be setup. Nevertheless, under the present setting, oral health care has been worthwhile to be focused on and taken root in its social value, mostly for the elderly, especially for those residents in the LTCFs.