Comparison of Hand Feeding Techniques for Persons With Dementia

The purpose of this study is to test three hand feeding techniques that can be used to provide feeding assistance to persons with dementia - direct hand feeding, hand-over-hand feeding, and hand-under-hand feeding.

Proposed Aim 1: To collect pilot data related to using three hand feeding techniques for feeding persons with dementia (PWD) in the nursing home (NH) setting: (1) direct hand feeding; (2) hand-over-hand feeding; and, (3) hand-under-hand feeding. Primary outcomes are impact on frequency of aversive feeding behaviors, meal intake, and time spent assisting with feeding. Proposed Aim 2: Evaluate implementation of the hand feeding intervention for larger randomized study of feeding techniques. Aim 2a: Conduct a process evaluation for method of recruiting, screening, and obtaining informed consent of legally authorized representatives (LARs)/ assent of PWD. Aim 2b: Establish fidelity to treatment for all three hand feeding interventions.