Training caregivers in feeding geriatric residents

This research study was designed to provide the efficacy of a training program for caregivers feeding geriatric residents with developmental cognitive deficits and dysphagia. If not properly trained, caregivers who feed individuals with dysphagia might cause complications such as aspiration and asphyxiation. Because the geriatric residents in this study had developmental cognitive deficits, direct treatment of dysphagia was not appropriate. With adequate training in feeding, caregivers were able to manage dysphagia effectively and create an optimal dining experience using indirect treatment strategies. The caregivers became compliant with following dining guidelines and recommendations from the speech-language pathologists. The caregivers participated in pretraining and posttraining interviews, pretraining and posttraining observations, and pretraining and posttraining questionnaires. The researcher provided training sessions that presented information about 7 indirect treatment strategies. The caregivers were encouraged to use the presented information during future dining experience.