Analysis of characteristics of abnormal eating behaviors and potential needs in patients with Alzheimer's disease / 中华护理杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate characteristics of abnormal eating behaviors in patients with Alzheimer's disease and explore the potential needs of the patients.Methods Based on the model of Need-driven Dementiacompromised Behavior (NDB),we used the list of eating behaviors in patients with Alzheimer's disease to observe and record the behaviors of 120 patients and extracted the characteristics of abnormal eating behaviors.Twelve caregivers were selected to participate in the individual in-depth interview using semi-structured interview method,and then 5 of them were involved in the focus group interview for richness and accuracy.Content analysis was used to analyze data.Results Abnormal eating behaviors were identified in 47.5％(57/120) of the patients with Alzheimer's disease.The most common abnormal eating behavior was verbal refusal to eat or stating "No more","Not hungry","I'm fu11"(64.9％),the second was spiting food out(63.2％),the simultaneous items were impatient behaviors prior to or during meal time(38.6％),being distracted from eating(38.6％),resisting help with meal(38.6％),refusal to open mouth (38.6％).Four potential needs were extracted,including desire for family,desire for companion,desire for eating dignity,and eagerness for a sense of inner security.Conclusion It is common for patients with Alzheimer's disease to show abnormal eating behaviors,which demonstrate their potential needs.Caregivers need to be trained to identify the abnormal behaviors of patients and reflected potential needs.Those needs should be met to improve patients' quality of care,and reduce burdens of caregivers.