The Geriatric Depression Scale assesses 15 items reflecting the individual's condition over the past week. Points are assigned as follows: Questions 1, 5, 7, 11, and 13 score 1 point if answered "No"; Questions 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, and 15 score 1 point if answered "Yes". Data is obtained through observation, interviews with the individual or caregivers. The total score ranges from 0 to 15 points. Cutoff points: Scores of 0-4 indicate good mental and emotional adaptation. Scores of 5-9 suggest mild depressive tendencies, recommending psychological counseling or professional consultation. Scores of 10-15 indicate more severe depressive tendencies, recommending referral to psychiatric treatment or professional counseling.

The Functional Oral Intake Assessment consists of 7 items used to evaluate and observe how individuals consume food and liquids orally, categorized into stages 1-7. Stage 1 indicates no oral intake, while stage 7 indicates unrestricted oral intake with no limitations. The assessment is based on observing the individual's eating and swallowing abilities or reviewing institutional dietary records. Cutoff points: Stages 1-3 indicate dependence on tube feeding, while stages 4-7 indicate full oral intake.

The Swallowing Difficulty Index is used to observe the severity of swallowing difficulties in study subjects, categorized into 0-4 stages. Stage 0 indicates severe difficulty, with significant oral residue, food scattered to the cheeks and beside the tongue, and frequent drooling. Stage 2 indicates moderate severity, with slow eating speed, poor water flow dynamics, some residue beside the tongue, and possible drooling. Stage 3 indicates mild severity, with slightly slower eating speed, slightly open lips, and occasional drooling. Stage 4 indicates normal swallowing function.

The Oral Health Assessment Scale consists of 8 assessment items: lips, tongue, gums, toothache, saliva, teeth, dentures, and oral hygiene. Each item is scored from 0 to 2 points, where 0 points indicate health and 2 points indicate poor health. Higher scores indicate worse oral health. Data is collected by assessing the individual's oral condition or checking institutional records.

Score calculation: Scores range from 0 to 16 points, with higher scores indicating poorer oral health.

The Swallowing Quality of Life Questionnaire consists of 9 assessment items totaling 40 questions and 5 situational inquiries. It assesses the individual's experiences over the past month, their perception of their swallowing ability, and their sensations during swallowing.

Scoring criteria: Items 1-9 (total of 40 questions) are scored on a 5-point Likert scale: "Always" scores 1 point (90-100% frequency/intensity), "Often" scores 2 points (60-80% frequency/intensity), "Sometimes" scores 3 points (30-50% frequency/intensity), "Rarely" scores 4 points (10-20% frequency/intensity), and "Never" scores 5 points (0% frequency/intensity). Questions 10-14 are supplemented by situational inquiries.Score calculation: Scores range from 40 to 200 points, with higher scores indicating better daily functioning and better quality of life.

IOPI was used to measure tongue strength, tongue endurance, tongue endurance time, saliva swallowing pressure, effortful saliva swallowing pressure, and the strength of the left and right lips.

To assess the nutritional status of elderly individuals, the scale consists of a total of 18 items divided into nutritional screening (total score of 14 points) and general assessment (total score of 16 points), resulting in a maximum total score of 30 points. Each item is graded according to its scoring level.

If the nutritional screening score is 11 or less, further nutritional assessment is required, completing questions G-R to determine the "malnutrition indicator value." Nutritional assessment: Complete assessments for questions G-R, incorporate them into the total assessment score, and determine the "malnutrition indicator value." Cutoff points: 24 to 30 points = normal nutritional status; 17 to 23.5 points = at risk of malnutrition; less than 17 points = malnourished.

The repetitive saliva swallowing test measures the number of rapid swallows in 30 seconds. The difficulty swallowing index during the pharyngeal phase will be used to observe the number of times the individual swallows saliva in 30 seconds, with a total of 3 assessment items. 1 point is scored if it does not reach three times, and 0 points are scored if the sensation of swallowing motion cannot be felt on the Adam's apple. The cutoff points are as follows: a score of 1 or below indicates a high-risk group for chewing and swallowing disorders, while a score of 2 indicates normal swallowing function.

To obtain information for each option, use the aspiration assessment form to interview the case or caregiver, or check the institution's records: whether there has been a physician-diagnosed pneumonia, fever ≥ 38℃, respiratory symptoms like coughing or difficulty breathing, and the dates of occurrence.