Feeding problems in severely demented patients seen from task and relationship aspects

This study aimed at increasing the understanding of feeding problems in severely demented patients cared for in a task assignment system. Twenty-three video-recordings made during the feeding of 15 severely demented patients and 55 focused interviews with 45 caregivers, who fed the 15 patients during that period were analysed regarding the feeding problems seen from a task aspect and from a relationship aspect. The result indicated that the problems were partly of a more constant nature and partly fluctuated from meal to meal. Feeding problems regarding the task aspect were mentioned first by the caregivers in the interviews in spite of the fact that the patients had severe communication problems which could be expected to cause great problems in the relationship between the patient and his caregiver. Reasons for these findings are suggested.