Full hearts: How to enhance the dining experience
Far from joyful social occasions, mealtimes can be stressful and isolating for people with swallowing difficulties. They may feel anxious about choking, or frustrated by how long it takes to get food down, and by their inability to be part of the conversations happening around them. As a result, it’s common for those with swallowing […]
Food for thought: Why nutrition is especially important for the elderly
Older people are particularly vulnerable to malnutrition, which has a serious and far-reaching impact on quality of life. Malnutrition – when the body isn’t receiving enough nutrients to support its functions – is a serious problem in older populations worldwide. Our bodies rely on energy (from macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats) to function […]
Q&A: How to reduce weight loss in people with dementia
In this Q&A, our expert dietitian, Kaye Dennison (NZRD), answers an important question about reducing weight loss in those living with dementia. “I am caring for my wife who has dementia, occasionally some swallowing problems and is losing weight. What are some easy ideas to help stop her losing more weight?” Here is Kaye’s response: […]
Delicious and nourishing food for those who have suffered a stroke
According to the stroke foundation, a stroke (or cerebrovascular accident – CVA for short) is the loss of brain function caused by disturbance of the blood flow to the brain. After a stroke, it is common to experience difficulty in eating. These difficulties can be for a number reasons such as: difficulties in chewing and […]
Dry mouth? You’re not alone
Xerostomia A dry mouth, or ‘Xerostomia’ is a problem suffered by many and can have an impact on our chewing and swallowing ability. It can be a debilitating condition and cause all sorts of secondary problems. A dry mouth can develop as a result of general ageing, some medications, post-radiation effects for head and neck […]
Not today cancer
Cancer can manifest in many different ways one of which is head and neck cancer (HNCA). HNCA and its treatment can result in significant swallowing difficulties in which speech-language therapists play a key role. Head and neck cancer can refer to cancers of: Stats and facts: Although the incidence of head and neck cancers represent […]
Nourishing people with dysphagia
I was reminded of the problems people can experience when they have swallowing difficulties when visiting a relative in hospital a few weeks ago. Another patient in the four bedded cubicle, Tom, reported to his nurse that he was unable to swallow pills unless they were crushed. An ensuing conversation went on for some time […]
Delicious fortified food for nourishing people with swallowing difficulties
It wasn’t too long ago that if you had a swallowing problem, your health outcomes and quality of life might not have been as positive as it can be these days. This would have been due to an inability to eat sufficient food to meet your nutritional requirements, or because of the risk of some […]
Nourishing those with Parkinson’s disease & swallowing difficulty
Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is one of the more well-known progressive neurodegenerative conditions due in part to Mike J Fox and Muhammad Ali. Attention often focuses on the motor/movement features of PD, however non-motor features may also become involved e.g. changes in behavior, sleep, and sensation (1). Swallowing and saliva difficulties are common symptoms that […]
