Feeding and Nutrition for People with Dementia in Gerontological Services: A Focus Group Study

Abstract

María Elisa Moreno-Fergusson,1,* Gabriela R Caez-Ramírez,2,* Luz Indira Sotelo-Diaz,3,* Paola Sarmiento-González,1,* Beatriz Sánchez-Herrera1,* 1Nursing and Rehabilitation School, Universidad de La Sabana, Chía, Cundinamarca, Colombia; 2Engineering, School, Universidad de La Sabana, Chía, Cundinamarca, Colombia; 3International School of Economic and Administrative Sciences, Universidad de La Sabana, Chía, Cundinamarca, Colombia*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: María Elisa Moreno-Fergusson, Nursing and Rehabilitation School, Universidad de La Sabana, Chía, Cundinamarca, Colombia, Email [email protected]: This work sought to describe the experience of managers and caregivers with feeding and nutrition for older adults with dementia, in Colombian gerontological services.Participants and Methods: This is a qualitative focus group study with fourteen gerontological care centers for people with dementia.Results: The study reveals that care related to food and nutrition for people with dementia is organized based on the comprehensive assessment of the resident. Although there are basic support strategies, each caregiver requires specific knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and institutional support, to generate a context that favors the health and quality of life of those involved.Conclusion: The experience of caring for people with dementia in aspects related to their food and nutrition, seen from the perspective of managers and caregivers of gerontological services in a developing country, strengthens specific strategies and public policies. This, in turn, reduces the burden on caregivers.Keywords: Diet, Food, and Nutrition, aged, dementia, health facility environment, long-term care, dietary services

Keywords

• diet
• food
• and nutrition
• aged
• dementia
• health facility environment
• long-term care
• dietary services