The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of dementia literacy, internal health locus of control, and fear of dementia on dementia-preventive behaviors among middle-aged people with chronic diseases. The participants were middle-aged individuals with chronic diseases who had been taking medications for at least three months, recruited using convenience sampling. A total of 123 participants were recruited between 13 and 31 March 2020, using self-reported questionnaires. Data were then analyzed through independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression using the SPSS/WIN 25.0. The results showed that health condition perceived as healthy and dementia literacy were the leading factors influencing dementia-preventive behaviors. These variables showed a 16% explanatory power for dementia-preventive behaviors. Therefore, when the participants’ perceived health condition was healthy and the dementia literacy score was higher, the level of dementia-preventive behaviors was also higher. It is necessary to develop educational programs to increase dementia literacy as a major variable in dementia-preventive behaviors, and further research on its efficacy should be conducted. When providing dementia-preventive education programs to middle-aged people who have been exposed to chronic diseases, it is necessary to consider their level of perceived health condition and dementia literacy.

Lee M, et al. Korean J Adult Nurs. 2024 May;36(2):112-125. https://doi.org/10.7475/kjan.2024.36.2.112

Older adults with dementia in long-term care facilities often encounter challenges in self-feeding owing to cognitive and physical impairments. Although direct care workers play a crucial role in facilitating mealtime activities, they lack adequate and specific training. To develop an effective educational training program for this purpose, it is essential to understand the educational needs of direct care workers providing meal assistance. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the educational needs prioritized by direct care workers in long-term care facilities, regarding providing eating assistance to older adults with dementia. Adopting a mixed-methods approach, this study combined quantitative analysis using Borich’s needs assessment and locus for focus models with qualitative insights from focus group interviews. Participants comprised 174 direct care workers and five nursing managers from various long-term care facilities in South Korea. This study identified four main educational priorities: enhancing knowledge regarding swallowing function, understanding institutional support mechanisms, applying multisensory stimulation techniques, and addressing food forgetfulness in older adults with dementia. These findings were aligned with the qualitative data that emphasized the necessity of training in these specific areas to improve the quality of meal assistance provided to this vulnerable population. The findings underscore the critical need for focused educational programs that equip direct care workers with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively assist older adults with dementia during mealtime. This study advocates the implementation of continuous education and training initiatives led by nursing management to improve the meal assistance environment for older adults with dementia, thereby enhancing their overall care and quality of life.

This study analyzed the mealtime structure of older adults with dementia in long-term care facilities. The study conducted video observations at 2 long-term care facilities with 10 residents and 24 staff members, resulting in 41 dyads. The average mealtime duration was 12.21 ± 5.16 minutes; the average time of a single intake was 0.21 ± 0.21 minutes; and the median of the eating interval was 0.17 minutes. The average verbal assistance time was 1.41 ± 1.31 minutes; the average verbal assistance frequency was short (23.92 ± 15.50 times). During mealtime, residents had an average of 5.00 ± 4.07 instances of failing to eat properly. The video analysis emphasized the necessity of implementing a mealtime assistance program that incorporates patient-centered education for the staff and ensures sufficient staffing to provide high-quality meals for residents in long-term care facilities.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the oncofertility experiences of young women with breast cancer and elucidate their process of coping.Methods: Employing a grounded theory approach, in-depth interviews were conducted with 12 women aged 27~37 with breast cancer who experienced fertility challenges. Data analysis was conducted using the constant comparative method.Results: The core category identified was a journey to restore daily life with inevitable damage to fertility, and young women with breast cancer experienced three stages: the crisis stage, life restructuring stage, and daily life recovery stage. The causal conditions were chemotherapy and pregnancy planning. The contextual conditions were anxiety about embryo or oocyte cryopreservation, the need to make a decision quickly, and expectations for natural pregnancy. The central phenomenon of oncofertility in women with breast cancer was “choices for an uncertain future.” The action/interaction strategies included increasing immunity, weight control, having a strong mind, and finding knowledge related to breast cancer. The intervening conditions were support from health care providers and family support. The consequences were early onset of menopause and “desperate pregnancy.”Conclusion: Nurses need to be interested in the decline in fertility of young women with breast cancer and play a role in understanding and actively helping them.

Purpose: This scoping review aimed to identify the research trends for dysphagia among older Korean adults in long-term care facilities. Methods: A literature search was performed using Korean Studies Information Service System, Research Information Sharing Service, ScienceON, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and PubMed. A total of 1,395 articles were identified, and 10 articles were selected for the final analysis. Two reviewers independently performed the study selection and extraction using pre-tested forms to confirm those for final inclusion. Results: Most of the studies were published between 2011 and 2014. The quasi-experimental design was most frequently applied. The Gugging Swallowing Screen was the most widely used assessment tool. All studies, including dysphagia intervention programs, involved oral and facial exercise programs. In addition, they all used swallowing-related outcome variables to assess the effectiveness of the interventions. Conclusion: Additional studies on dysphagia among older Korean adults in long-term care facilities should be conducted, and various interventions and assessment tools should be developed and implemented. This study is anticipated to establish a fundamental foundation for further dysphagia-related research and help improve the quality of life of Korean older adults in long-term care.