If your parent or your loved one has trouble eating, chewing and swallowing, or is unable to feed himself, you or care giver will need to be more involved.
Normally person with a
- stroke or
- dementia,
- Parkinson's disease,
- head or neck cancer, or
- injuries to the head, neck or chest
- pulmonary disease,
sometimes suffer from dysphagia, a condition in which swallowing is difficult or painful or impossible.
This puts them at risk of
- dehydration,
- malnutrition or
- choking.
They can also inhale liquid or food into their lungs and develop pneumonia.
If swallowing is difficult, try the following:
- Get him to eat sitting up. He should eat slowly, pausing between bites. She should take small bites or sips, and absolutely not try to talk while eating.
- Ensure she is in sitting position.
- Do not give food/drink when he is lying down
- Remind him to chew/swallow if they keep the food in the mouth.
- Offer him small meals several times a day rather than a few large meals.
- Don't underfeed or overfeed him
- Don't force him to eat all the food that already prepared.
- Semisolid foods, such as mashed potatoes and thick soups (without chunks). Pretty much pulverized into a thick, smooth consistency. A food processor or blender will grind meat, mash potatoes, and puree vegetables and fruit. Also try scrambled eggs, oatmeal, egg salad, creamed sweet potatoes, bread pudding, custard, milk shares.
- If you mash food into an unappetizing-looking lump, garnish it with lemon or herbs.
- Often, thick liquids are easier to swallow than thin ones. Add powdered milk, ice cream, honey, powdered eggs, pudding, gelatin or commercial thickening agent to liquids.
Products can consider:
Valens Thixer Instant Food and Drink Thickener
https://www.ielder.asia/collections/nutrition/products/valens-thixer-instant-food-and-drink-swallowing-disorder
Ryle's Tube
https://www.ielder.asia/products/ryles-tube
Sweden Etac Beauty multipurpose grip
https://www.ielder.asia/products/etac-beauty-multipurpose-grip
Ensure Gold 400g
https://www.ielder.asia/collections/nutrition/products/ensure-gold-400g-coffee
Adjustable Steel Frame Backrest With Pillow
https://www.ielder.asia/products/adjustable-steel-frame-backrest-with-pillow-blue
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