Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, is a challenging condition that affects individuals of all ages, especially seniors. This can make mealtimes a source of distress and anxiety for many, as the simple act of eating becomes a daunting task.
As a family member or friend, you can help your loved one find joy in food again, by understanding dysphagia, adapting mealtimes, and improving their dining experience. This will help turn frustrating mealtimes into fulfilling ones for the whole family.
What is Dysphagia?
Before looking at how to best support your loved one with eating, it’s essential that you understand what dysphagia is and the impact it can have, both mentally and physically. Dysphagia can be caused by a medical condition, or as a result of old age. The severity of the condition can vary, ranging from discomfort and mild difficulty swallowing to a risk of choking and aspiration.
Aspiration is when your food goes into your airway, rather than down your esophagus into your stomach. This can cause a wide range of issues, including chest infections and pneumonia. As well as the physical, dysphagia can have an emotional toll, including social withdrawal, anxiety, and depression. As a caregiver, acknowledging the emotional aspect of swallowing difficulties is vital for providing compassionate support.
Adapting Food for Enjoyable and Safe Meals
One of the most significant challenges for dysphagia patients is finding joy in meals while also ensuring safety. Luckily, there are many ways to adapt recipes which make it easier than ever for your loved one to still enjoy their favorite meals. The easiest way to adapt food for dysphagia is to puree or blend foods, as this creates a safe texture for swallowing. It also ensures that the flavors and nutritional value are still present in the meal.
A thickening agent like SimplyThick thickening gel or powder can also help thicken certain foods and drinks, meaning your loved one can still enjoy their favorite tipple. The best thing to do here is to experiment with different seasonings and flavors, to see how you can make pureed or blended meals most appealing. Alternatives like yogurt, smoothies, and mashed potatoes, are also great ideas for someone with dysphagia.
Encouraging Independence
As a loved one, it can be tempting to take over feeding and meal preparation, but it’s essential to encourage your loved one to remain independent as much as possible. Depending on their abilities, they can participate in meal planning, grocery shopping, or simple food preparation tasks. People with dysphagia can sometimes lose their enjoyment of food, so keeping them in the loop and encouraging this independence can help them re-find their love for food.
Even if they cannot stand for long periods of time, they could still get involved with making a delicious smoothie. If there are also other medical conditions going on, it’s more important than ever to keep their mind active and allow them to maintain a good relationship with their food.
Seeking Support
Coping with dysphagia can be emotionally and mentally challenging for your loved one. They may become anxious to eat outside the home, or even in front of family and friends. Dysphagia can lead to feelings of anxiety, resentment, anger, and embarrassment. By being there for them and understanding their condition, you are already a great support for them.
Encourage open communication and listen to their concerns, seeing how you can improve mealtimes for them. If your loved one is really struggling with the emotional impacts of dysphagia, consider referring them to a counselor or therapist.
As a caregiver for someone with dysphagia, you should also seek support. There are many support groups for carers living with a dysphagia patient, and speaking to someone who is in the same position as you can make you feel less alone. You can also gain valuable insight and tips for making your loved one feel comfortable and confident with eating.
Finding joy in food can be difficult for someone with swallowing difficulties but with the love and support of friends and family, mealtimes can once again become a fulfilling experience. As a caregiver, understanding dysphagia, adapting foods for safe and enjoyable meals, encouraging independence, and seeking support, can aid you in effectively caring for a loved one with dysphagia and re-establishing their joy for food.
