Maria Hein

Introduction Mealtime is a critical daily activity to ensure nutrition, hydration, function and socialisation. Interactions between staff and residents during mealtimes are complex and dynamic processes including verbal and/or nonverbal communication that can be positive/neutral or challenging. This study examined characteristics of and relationships between person‐centred and task‐centred care and positive/neutral and challenging mealtime behaviours in persons with dementia. Methods This study was a secondary behavioural analyses of videotaped mealtime observations ( n = 110) involving 42 unique staff‐resident dyads (29 staff and 25 residents with dementia) in nine nursing homes. The refined Cue Utilization and Engagement in Dementia mealtime video‐coding scheme was used to code videos during 2019–2020. Dependent variables representing resident mealtime behaviours included positive verbal behaviours, positive/neutral nonverbal behaviours, functional impairments (nonverbal) and resistive behaviours (verbal and nonverbal). Independent variables were staff person‐centred and task‐centred approaches (verbal and nonverbal). Relationships between resident mealtime behaviours and staff approaches were examined using bivariate analysis and logistic regression. Results Staff person‐centred verbal approaches were associated with resident positive verbal behaviours (OR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.09–1.76), functional impairments (OR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.66–1.00) and resistive behaviours (OR = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.18–2.31). Staff person‐centred nonverbal approaches were associated with resident functional impairments (OR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.02–1.74). Staff task‐centred approaches were not associated with resident positive/neutral or challenging mealtime behaviours. Conclusion This study characterised staff approaches and resident behaviours during mealtime care and provided preliminary support on associations between staff person‐centred approaches and resident positive and challenging behaviours. Person‐centred mealtime care practice is recommended by focusing on support of common, challenging behaviours and reinforcement of positive behaviours with adequate consideration of individual needs and preferences.