Useful information to avoid dysphagia
Before lunch
- The caregiver should sit opposite or beside the patient in order to ensure proper cooperation.
- Ensure proper body posture – place the trunk vertically and straight, supporting the head and legs straight.
- Make sure there are all the necessary help devices near you.
- Do not consume food that cannot be swallowed by the patient.
During the meal
- The meal should be a pleasant experience for the patient.
- Provide assistance when necessary, depending on the patient’s needs.
- Reduce distractions from the surrounding environment to avoid confusion.
- Use quantities similar to a small spoon and keep track of swallowing movements before giving a next amount.
- Avoid mixing different foods.
- Encourage closing of the mouth once you have just given the spoonful.
- Do not use the teeth to pick up the food from the spoon.
- Encourage swallowing several times in order to clean the airways from food, especially when you hear strange voices, which can result in food debris in the oral cavity.
After lunch
- Do not just leave the patient full of the oral cavity.
- Maintain the same body posture for 30-90 minutes after lunch, to facilitate digestion.
- Ensure oral hygiene, which affects functionality, safety, comfort and quality of life. Bad oral hygiene is directly associated with pneumonia, possibly caused by microorganisms of the oral cavity and teeth, when these are not properly cleansed.