Prevention Program Brochure

Dysphagia, what
is it and what is
your role as
caregiver?

CDS 618
Pamela Gorham,
Melissa McClain,
Ashley Moynihan, and
Elizabeth Pratsis
Compensatory Strategies
Caregivers Can Assist In
! Body Positioning Please make sure your
loved one is sitting in the most optimal
position. This is usually at 90 degrees;
however, therapists may find a different,
more suitable position.
! Head Positioning
o Chin Tuck Instruction: Bring chin to
chest. This helps control the ball of
food or liquid in the mouth.
o Head Tilt Instruction: Tilt the head
backwards. This helps when the
person has difficulty moving the
food or liquid towards the back of
the throat.
! Food Presentation When presenting the
food (whether it is chopped, pureed, etc.) it
is important that is appealing to your loved
one. It will make the eating event more
enjoyable.
! Lip and Chin Support Some loved ones
may have difficulty keeping their mouth
closed during meal time due to poor
muscle tone or paralysis. Caregivers can
assist by using their hands to keep the lip
and jaw closed.
! Multiple Swallows Caregivers can remind
their loved ones to swallow several times
after drinking a sip or taking a bite of food.
This helps to reduce the amount of residue
and risk for aspiration.
! Throat Clearing/Coughing Caregivers
can also encourage a good throat clear or
cough every 2 -3 swallows to prevent any
food or liquid entering the windpipe and
lungs.
!
Safe Swallowing Strategies to
Remember for All Individuals
! Take small bites when eating
! Sip liquids in between bites
! Wait to talk until after ALL food and liquid
has been swallowed
! Check mouth with either a tongue sweep or
finger to make sure there is no excess food

Please Remember
! Although strategies have been briefly
discussed, please do not implement these
techniques without observation,
instruction, and permission from your loved
ones speech language pathologist. If
incorrect management techniques are
used, your loved ones swallowing abilities
and health could be compromised.
! All loved ones should be spoken to with a
pleasant tone and requested to do
something, not told.
! Encouragement should be given
frequently.
! Observe your loved ones carefully during
mealtimes, snacks or activities of daily
living and remember to report any
changes!
! If changes are noted please provide the
speech language pathologist with
information regarding changes in cognition,
communication and/or dysphagia.

What is dysphagia?
Dysphagia is defined as the difficulty of or
delay in moving food from an individuals
mouth to his or her stomach. It is also
referred to as a swallowing disorder. It is a
functional diagnosis or a symptom of a disease.
This diagnosis affects over 10 million
Americans and is found in everyone from
newborns all the way to elderly patients.
Dysphagia can be caused by a variety of
issues. Of which include, structural damages,
neurological conditions, side effects from
certain medications, as well as the inevitable
aging process.
Why is dysphagia a concern?
There are number of reasons dysphagia poses
a concern to individuals, their family, and their
medical professionals. One reason dysphagia
is concerning is because of the presence of
aspiration. Aspiration occurs when food
and/or liquid goes down the wrong pipe and
enters the lungs. Having food particles or
liquid enter the lungs could result in bacterial
pneumonia.
Another reason for concern is poor nutrition.
If an individual presents dysphagia, he or she
may choose not to eat or drink because it is
uncomfortable, painful, embarrassing, or takes
too long to finish a meal. By choosing to not
eat or drink, the individual will show
deficiencies in nutrition.
Who helps manage an individuals
dysphagia?
The patients speech language
pathologist (SLP) helps manage
dysphagia. Their goal is to ensure
that the patient is safely tolerating
a diet without any overt signs or
symptoms of aspiration. SLPs
educate patients on specific oral
compensatory and facilitatory
strategies that can help the patient
safely consume their meal.
What are some signs and
symptoms associated with
dysphagia?
! Difficulty in putting food into mouth
! Inability to keep food and/or saliva in
mouth
! Coughing before, during, or after the
swallow
! Frequent coughing
! Weight loss with no other reason
! Recurring pneumonia

What are some signs and
symptoms associated with
aspiration?
! Coughing
! Clearing throat
! Runny nose
! Watery eyes
! Multiple swallows for each bite or sip
! Reports of food or liquids being stuck or
hung up in the back of throat

Compensatory strategies
! The purpose is to eliminate symptoms of
dysphagia
! These strategies are typically
implemented during meal time
! They usually occur under the supervision
of the SLP or caregiver
! These strategies are less effortful

What are some compensatory
strategies used?
! Dietary Modifications
! Body Positioning
! Head Positioning
! Food Placement
! Sensory Enhancement Techniques

Why are caregivers important?
As the caregiver your role is vital in helping to
achieve success in the swallowing ability of
your loved one. By being active, attentive,
and willing to enforce taught strategies,
caregivers will assist in helping their loved
ones achieve their swallowing goals.

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