Development of new care system based upon the analysis of needs related to oral care for the dependent elderly

本研究的目的是开发一种新的系统的老年口腔护理方法。首先，我们调查了部分肢体残疾的社区老年人的口腔护理现状。供养老年人与肢体残疾相匹配的口腔护理供给不足，家属照顾者口腔护理知识和技能不足。特别是系统的口腔护理，预防老年依赖者吸入性肺炎。在上述调查的基础上，我们确定了以下三个因素来评估口腔护理的真实需求：口腔中的机会细菌、吞咽功能和日常生活能力。具有这三个因素的受试者被认为具有较高的口腔护理需求。第三，我们系统化了一套针对口腔护理需求的简单而有效的方法。在有较高口腔护理需求的受试者中，系统的5分钟口腔护理方法简单有效。一个月后，再次评估口腔护理需求，检查口腔护理效果。如果口腔状况不变，立即提供专业的口腔护理服务。本研究开发的系统口腔护理方法被认为是有效改善口腔环境，预防吸入性肺炎的有效方法。此外，该系统对于照顾独居老人的家庭照顾者来说也很简单。

Purpose of the present study was to develop a new systematic oral care method for the dependent elderly. First, we surveyed the status of oral care in the community-dwelling elderly with some physical disabilities. The oral care matching physical disabilities of the dependent elderly was not supplied sufficiently, and their family caregivers had insufficient knowledge and skills of oral care.Second, we developed the needs assessment of oral care. Especially, we focused the systematic oral care to prevent aspiration pneumonia among the dependent elderly. Based upon the above survey, we determined three factors as follows to evaluate the real needs of oral care; opportunistic bacteria in the oral cavity, swallowing function, and activities of daily living. The subjects with the three factors were considered to have the high needs for oral care.Third, we systematized a simple and effective method corresponding to the oral care needs which was described in the following. Systematic 5-minute oral care method is simple and effective among the subjects with high oral care needs. One month later, the needs of oral care is evaluated again to examine the effect of oral care. If the oral status is not changed, professional oral care service is supplied immediately.The systematic oral care method to develop in the present study is considered to be effective to improve oral environment, and to prevent aspiration pneumonia. Also, the system is simple for the family caregivers looking after the dependent elderly.