Research Managing Director
Area on Community Healthcare
Our recent research extended into the following areas; (1) Development of a program to improve overall oral function based on an evaluation of the risk of dysphagia in the elderly and problems with their articulatory movement; (2) Diminished function of ingestion and deglutition and the risk of insuffi cient nutrition in longterm care facilities; (3) The relationship between the oral functions of the elderly in the community and their quality of life in terms of health; and (4) Development of a check list for chewing ability that can be used during health and nutrition counseling. For the field surveys, we developed the Dysphagia Risk Assessment for the Communitydwelling Elderly (DRACE, see Chart), to evaluate the needs of treatment and rehabilitation for dysphagia among the elderly. Furthermore, we have utilized the outcomes of the research in related human resource development courses conducted by NIPH, and introduced our research findings to public health professionals.