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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2018 Apr 1.
Published in final edited form as: J Am Geriatr Soc. 2017 Feb 6;65(4):e89–e94. doi: 10.1111/jgs.14728

Table 1.

Definition of Handfeeding Techniques & Demonstration Video

Handfeeding
Technique		 Definition Video Demonstration of
three techniques20
***Each technique is from the perspective of the caregiver’s hand placement
Direct Hand
(DH)		 The caregiver holds the object (e.g., fork,
spoon, cup) intended to provide food or
fluids to the resident without any active
involvement on the part of the resident		 Video may also be accessed at:
https://youtu.be/NYzH_B7XfjY
graphic file with name nihms821448t1.jpg
Over Hand
(OH)		 The caregiver puts his/her hand over the
resident’s hand in an effort to
guide/support/assist the resident with the
activity.
Under Hand
(UH)		 The caregiver holds the object (e.g., fork,
spoon, and/or cup) and places his/her hand
under the resident’s hand. This technique
theoretically allows the resident to feel as
though he/she initiated the movement, and
are in control.