When a person has trouble swallowing, their loved ones may worry about how they can assist them. They want to nurture and nourish this individual but fear that doing so could harm them. In addition, people with dysphagia often don’t like to eat anymore. They are embarrassed by their inability to swallow and want to isolate themselves when eating. Caregivers often feel as though they aren’t doing enough for the individual.
However, when they try to feed a loved one with dysphagia, this person may cough or gag. The caregiver then wonders where they went wrong. It’s not the fault of the caregiver or the person with this condition. The best thing the caregiver can do in this situation is to learn as much as possible about dysphagia and how they can assist this individual, such as by using Simply Thick packets to thicken their food and liquids.
Understanding Dysphagia
Dysphagia is a condition in which the esophagus fails to function properly, resulting in difficulties with swallowing. The individual may cough, choke, gag, or aspirate food and liquids when eating. A medical condition, such as multiple sclerosis, may lead to a person being diagnosed with this condition. Still, it could be anything that affects the muscles and nerves involved in swallowing.
Signs of dysphagia include food or liquid leaking from the mouth, weight loss, dehydration, and chest congestion. The person may need more time to finish meals and make gurgling noises while eating. People with dysphagia might cheek their food rather than swallow it, and anyone who has been diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia should be checked for this condition.
Medical professionals create treatment plans for individuals with dysphagia. They often work with a speech-language pathologist to develop a plan based on the severity and type of dysphagia. The goal is to minimize the symptoms and prevent aspiration. Diet modification is often the first treatment recommended.
Feeding Someone with Dysphagia
Caregivers can help individuals with dysphagia by hand-feeding them. When doing so, they need to follow the diet prescribed by the speech-language pathologist to ensure the food and liquids are the proper consistency. Foods with thick sauces or gravies are easier to swallow because they are moist.
Individuals with dysphagia need additional time to finish their meals. Allow them as much time as they need to chew each bite thoroughly and swallow completely. Remove any distractions while they eat and encourage them with visual cues to indicate when they should take a bite or sip their beverage.
Make eye contact with them while they eat, and pay attention to any signs that they are becoming distracted, are choking on their food, or have food remaining in their mouth. They need to sit upright while eating, and meals should take place when they are awake, alert, and ready to eat.
Small portions are less intimidating to those with dysphagia. If the individual has dementia, provide them with finger foods because they are easier to manage than utensils. They will revert to the rhythms and movements they have used since childhood to consume their meal.
The most important thing a caregiver can do when helping someone with dysphagia eat is to remain patient. Allow the individual to feed themselves as much as possible, and only step in if necessary. Mealtimes take longer, and they should never be rushed. They should also have choices about what they eat. When a caregiver shows love and care rather than irritation or anger, the person will be able to eat their meals and enjoy food again.