Estratégias de cuidadores domiciliares para alimentação de pessoas idosas com disfagia após desospitalização

Abstract

Caring for elderly people with oropharyngeal dysphagia is a complex responsibility that requires adequate preparation, health education and support to ensure the safety and well-being of both the elderly person and the caregiver. To understand the strategies of caregivers during the transition from hospital-home care to offering food to elderly people with swallowing disorders. This is a descriptive, exploratory research with a qualitative approach that aims to understand the experiences and perspectives of caregivers of elderly people admitted to a university hospital in Bahia. Data collection was carried out between January and February 2023, through a semi-structured interview. The data was organized based on Content Analysis. Eight caregivers of elderly people participated in the study. Five categories emerged: Preparation and offering of food; Adequate food consistency; Oral hygiene before and after feeding; Posture during and after feeding; Speech therapy assessment for adequate nutrition. The caregivers took care of elderly people with oropharyngeal dysphagia, of which four were fed exclusively through gastrostomy, the other four remained exclusively oral with adaptation of food consistency. Caregivers' tacit knowledge regarding an effective transition between hospital and home is fundamental to ensuring quality care for elderly people with oropharyngeal dysphagia. This knowledge involves significant changes in the environment, routine and care provided to the elderly person, therefore, the caregiver becomes responsible for making adjustments to the home environment to make it safer and more accessible for an elderly person with dysphagia.