Investigation of cognition, nutrition, independence and swallowing difficulty, relationship with quality of life, and effect levels in elderly people with Alzheimer’s disease living with their families

Abstract

Background & Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the deteriorations in nutrition, swallowing, cognition, and independence among geriatric people with Alzheimer’s disease who are living with their families (PWADLF), to examine how these conditions relate to and how much they affect the patients’ qualities of life.

Methods: Standardized Mini-Mental Examination (SMMSE), Barthel Index (BI), Bedside Water Swallow Test (BWST), The Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), and Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) were determined.

Results: According to the BWST results, 31.1% of patients had dysphagia. It was observed that 49.6% of the patients were at risk of malnutrition, and 30.3% were malnourished; 16% were highly dependent, 58.8% were moderately dependent, and only 1.7% were completely independent. It was observed that the SMMSE, MNA, and BI variables had a significant impact on the NHP variable.

Conclusions: It was found in this study that elderly PWADLF are at risk for dysphagia and malnutrition. As the stage of patients progressed, it was observed that the risk of dysphagia and malnutrition increased, and their independence levels and quality of life decreased. It was found that quality of life is related to independence, nutrition, and cognitive level, and these conditions have a significant effect on the quality of life, respectively. Therefore, conditions such as malnutrition, which may decrease the quality of life in people with Alzheimer’s disease, should be evaluated early, and necessary corrective measures taken.