Neva L Crogan
Gonzaga University, USA
Title: Person-Centered Care in Nursing Homes: Efficacy of the Sorbet Increases Salivation Intervention
Biography
Biography: Neva L Crogan
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of the Sorbet Increases Salivation (SIS) intervention on managing nursing home elder drug-induced xerostomia. The specific aims were to test the effects of SIS on resident food intake and body weight. Using a two-group design, thrity-nine nursing home residents (from two nursing homes) were given 2 ounces of lemon-lime sorbet prior to lunch and dinner meals for 6 weeks. Participants were offered 2 ounces of a non-citrus drink prior to the lunch and dinner meals for 6 weeks during comparison weeks. Twenty-two residents completed both the ocmparison and intervention periods. Of those, 8 gained weight, 10 maintained and 4 lost weight. The amounts of food ingested during dinner increased significantly (p=0.001) from the comparison period to the intervention period (208-253 g). For liquids, the amounts ingested during dinner decreased significantly (p=0.002) from the comparison periods to the intervention period (from 356 ml to 310 ml). This innovative and person-centered approach to alleviating elder dry mouth utilized a simple, easy-to-implement intervention that has the potential of increasing food intake in this at-risk population. The product is enexpensive and the intervention requires very little staff training to initiate. Further study is needed to test the efficacy of the intervention with a larger sample of residents from multiple nursing homes.