General nutritional recommendations in care of neurological elderly patients with dysphagia

Abstract

Ageing is a current and prevalent phenomenon within global populations. Neurological disorders compose a majority of geriatric syndromes and hence a high prevalence of dysphagia among aging (60+ years) adults. Even though patients with neurological illnesses with dysphagia usually suffer of malnutrition and dehydration, still these consequences are underdiagnosed and often untreated; leading the elderly people with neurological dysphagia to poor health outcomes and even morbidity. The aim of the study is to evaluate dysphagia and nutrition in elderly patients with neurological problems. The purpose of the article is to gather information about general nursing intervention to tackle the dysphagia challenges in elderly neurological patients, and thus, maintain an optimal nutritional intake. Research data was collected from four databases; Cinahl Plus full-text, Cochrane Library, Medline and PubMed. Moreover, open access Google Scholar database was used to search additional articles. Using an elaborate inclusion and exclusion criteria and through a thorough critical analysis of obtained data, 13 articles qualified for the review. Data analysis and generation of results was conducted using content analysis. The results were assorted in three main categories: facilitating swallowing of different food consistency for elderly with neurological dysphagia, implementing various tube feeding methods and continuous evaluation of nutritional care needed. The applicability of the results has to be taken cautiously because of the wide range of illness that the word “neurological disorders” comprise. Consequently, additional research is needed to determine specific characteristics of each and one of neurological illnesses and the individual effect in the swallowing process