摘要
無論是哪一個年紀，「吃的好」是重要的，然而，因為各種疾病、生理的因素，許多年長者的進食狀況並不理想。根據統計，營養不良的比例在老年人口中約佔15至20%(Naber et al., 1997)，因此在台灣許多年長者因為吞嚥困難或食慾差而被強迫用鼻胃管餵食。研究指出，管餵食不能改善年長者的生活品質，也不能降低死亡率(Chernoff, 2006; Shapiro & Friedmann, 2006)，因此歐美國家對於吃不好或吞嚥困難的年長者，多是供應細泥飲食或細碎飲食來預防嗆咳(American Dietetic Association, 2002)，經手餵食的老人一樣可以擁有良好的營養狀況及生理功能。為了改善國內老人食慾差、吞嚥困難的問題，本人特於2007至2008年間參訪美國奧瑞岡州的養護機構，如Capital Manor（2007年9月至2008年2月）、Providence Elder Place（2007年10月）、Providence Benedictine Nursing Center（2007年11月）、Rose Villa（2008年1月）和VA Hospital（2008年2月），希望藉由國外的經驗進而改善國內老人的營養狀況，提升生活品質。
並列摘要
Eating well is important at any age. But health issues and physical limitations sometimes make it difficult for seniors, the fastest-growing population in Taiwan. Poor nutrition and malnutrition occur in 15 to 20 percent of the elderly population (Naber et al., 1997). In Taiwan, forcing feeding is common among elders because of dysphagia or poor appetite. However, studies indicate that tube feeding is neither improved life quality nor decreased mortality among elders (Chernoff, 2006; Shapiro & Friedmann, 2006). For the better life quality, western countries used to provide pureed diet or dysphagia mechanical soft diet to prevent choking (American Dietetic Association, 2002). Hand Feeding may be maintained good nutrition status and physical functions. During September 2007 to February 2008, I had visited several geriatric facilities, Capital Manor, Providence Elder Place, Providence Benedictine Nursing Center, Rose Villa, VA Hospital, in the state of Oregon to resolve nutritional problems and improve life quality among elders in Taiwan.