Application of family empowerment program based on comprehensive geriatric assessment among geriatric patients with dysphagia

Objective To explore the effects of family empowerment program based on comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) on care readiness of main caregivers, patients' deglutition function and nutritional status among geriatric patients with dysphagia. Methods From January 2016 to June 2017, we selected 120 dysphagia patients and their 120 main caregivers of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital as subjects by convenience sampling. All of the subjects were divided into control group (n=60) and experimental group (n=60) with the method of the random number table. Control group carried out routine nursing. On the basis of that in control group, experimental group applied family empowerment program based on CGA. The care readiness of caregivers, patients' deglutition function and nutritional status were compared between two groups. Results Through the course of study, a total of 13 patients quitted with 56 cases included in experimental group and 51 included in control group. After intervention, the scores of care readiness of main caregivers of experimental group and control group were (23.55±2.26) and (15.40±1.70) respectively with a statistical difference (t=-20.919, P<0.01) . The total effective rate of the deglutition function improvement of experimental group and control group were 85.71% and 68.63% respectively with a statistical difference (Z=-2.035, P<0.05) . Three months after intervention, blood albumin, hemoglobin and the score of mini nutritional assessment of experimental group were (34.360±1.978) g/L, (120.900±9.031) g/L and (7.450±1.638) respectively statistically superior than those of control group (t=29.586, 17.370, 6.049; P<0.05) . Conclusions Family empowerment program based on CGA can effectively improve care readiness of main caregivers among geriatric patients with dysphagia, the deglutition function and nutritional status of dysphagia patients. Key words: Aged; Comprehensive geriatric assessment; Family empowerment program; Deglutition disorders; Deglutition function; Nutritional status; Care readiness