Swallowing problems affecting seniors is usually known as dysphagia. It can be caused by various issues such as stroke, cancer, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer’s, which usually affect older adults.
Dysphagia makes it hard for them to swallow foods and liquids, and if not addressed on time, it could cause serious health issues like malnutrition, dehydration, and aspiration pneumonia. Those with relatives or loved ones with dysphagia should read this article to learn the tips they can use to cope with the condition.
Use Thickening Liquids
One of the biggest challenges people with dysphagia face is taking medications. Since the patients have difficulty swallowing and can easily choke on liquids, even water, this makes it difficult for them to take their medication. The solution to this issue is adding a thickener to their liquids to make them easy to swallow.
Thickeners increase a liquid’s viscosity without changing its other properties or taste. Therefore, it is safe to add them to water, syrups, or any other thin liquid that a person with dysphagia might need to take. Thickening is crucial as it reduces the risk of aspiration.
However, those getting thickeners for their patients with dysphagia should note that there are various thickening products on the market, making it hard to choose the right one. However, the founder of SimplyThick offers a great gel-form thickener that is easy to use and thickens liquids within a few seconds.
Eat Healthy Foods
Older adults with dysphagia need to eat nutritious foods rich in vitamins, calories, and minerals. However, these groups face swallowing problems, especially when eating hard foods. Therefore, their caregivers should have a plan for soft, nutritious meals these patients can eat.
Besides eating a balanced diet, they also need to know the type of foods they should avoid. Thin foods like soups, ice cream, and jelly that melt into thin liquid in the mouth are a few examples. When such foods turn into thin liquids, they are likely to cause aspiration.
Additionally, they should not eat large meals since it will take them longer, and the food might get cold. The best way to serve those with dysphagia is to give them smaller meals frequently. This ensures they have enough time to eat or drink, reducing their chances of choking.
Avoid Straws
It is common for people to turn to straws when they notice their loved ones have trouble swallowing liquids. They assume that straws are helpful and will improve the ability of their loved ones to healthy beverages. However, it is dangerous for dysphagia patients to use straws when drinking liquids. They increase the flow of fluid in their mouth.
When the flow of liquid increases, patients with weakened muscles find it difficult to get the liquid down the stomach, likely leading to choking. Avoiding straws can avoid such issues.
Proper Timing
How often and how long should dysphagia caregivers give their patients food? Caregivers should understand that older adults with this condition are also likely to have extreme fatigue and weakness. That will make a simple task like eating for more than 15 minutes exhausting, but the time can vary from one patient to another.
Caregivers need to know that fatigue in older adults can make it harder for them to swallow their foods and drink correctly. That is why specialists ask caregivers to watch their patients when they are eating. If they notice that they are too tired or are eating too slowly, they should stop feeding and schedule it for another time when they will be rejuvenated.
Use Appropriate Posture
There have been cases where seniors with dysphagia cannot sit upright on their own because of other health problems. Caregivers can feel like making compromises for those with such conditions and allowing them to eat when lying down. However, this is dangerous because the patients already have difficulty swallowing.
The best way to handle this situation is for the caregiver to use a recliner to adjust the backrest of the patients so they can sit upright when eating and drinking. This tip is a game changer and could help ensure the food goes down successfully and reduce the possibility of choking.
Improving posture makes mealtime less dreadful. However, if the patient cannot use a recliner, then it is best for the caregiver to hold the patient’s head and upper torso upright while feeding. Such a task might seem hectic, but it is worth it as it will lessen the possibility of the patient choking.
Stay Hydrated
Since people with dysphagia have a hard time drinking water, their chances of getting dehydrated are high. Therefore, it is essential for their caregivers to be keen and on the lookout to ensure that the seniors drink sufficient water. However, they should remember that all their beverages should be thickened.
While thickened liquid will help patients stay hydrated, caregivers should know that drinking thickened liquids takes longer than drinking non-thickened liquids. Therefore, they need to be patient with the older adults and be keen when they are consuming to ensure that they do not choke.
Speech Therapist
Many assume that speech therapists only help patients with difficulty speaking or pronouncing words. What they fail to understand is that these experts can also evaluate the swallowing capabilities in dysphagia patients and offer advice on how they can successfully live with this condition.
These experts can also recommend exercises to strengthen the swallowing muscles to reduce pain when eating or drinking. These exercises can help to reduce the symptoms, making it safer for the patients to eat and drink. The specialists will also advise caregivers about the best posture for improved swallowing.
It is never easy for someone to see their loved ones choking easily or having difficulty when drinking or eating. However, when they notice this condition, they need to visit a professional to run a test and give the correct diagnosis.
If they are diagnosed with dysphagia, they should take the necessary precautions to ensure they are safe. These tips can improve the lives of seniors with dysphagia and make it easier for caregivers to care for them.
