The Journal of Korean Society of Community-Based Occupational Therapy Vol.15 No.3 pp.33-42
Changes in Swallowing-Related Awareness and Quality of Life Following Swallowing Education in Community-Dwelling in the Elderly in the Community
Key Words : Community based occupational therapy,Dysphagia-specific quality of life,Elderly in the community,Swallowing education
Abstract
Objective : This study was conducted to provide swallowing education to community-dwelling neurologically intact older adults and to examine changes in swallowing-related awareness and swallowing-related quality of life. Methods : A total of 22 adults aged 65 years or older, all receiving services from a public health center in Busan (Y Public Health Center), were enrolled. The program was conducted over 5 weeks from 15 October to 12 November 2025. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0, including descriptive statistics and paired t-tests, with statistical significance set at p<0.05. Results : Following the education program, participants demonstrated significant improvement in self-perceived swallowing rehabilitation knowledge (t=–6.345, p<0.01). Among QoL subdomains, emotional QoL was increased significantly (t=–2.709, p<0.05)). The total dysphagia-specific QoL score also showed significant enhancement (83.32 ± 11.85 before vs. 87.91 ± 9.08 after; t=–2.314, p<0.05)). Conclusion : Swallowing education led to positive changes in improving the awareness of the elderly in the community and changing the emotional quality of life. In future community-based research, active research is needed that includes objective physiological indicators and that improved awareness can lead to participation in actual educational programs.
