Advertising feature to potentially identify , according to the IDDSI framework , which level of food is appropriate for their specific swallowing needs .
Advertising feature to potentially identify , according to the IDDSI framework , which level of food is appropriate for their specific swallowing needs .
Dietitians also play a pivotal role in ensuring a person ’ s nutritional intake is sufficient , and this can be challenging upon discharge , on that hospital to home journey .
Adapting the mealtime environment to be more conducive to allowing a person to eat well is central in helping them manage their dysphagia and prevent the complications that can come along with it .
These could include malnutrition , dehydration , and an impacted quality of life . Occupational therapists are also instrumental in ensuring that people with cognitive and physical impairments can swallow safely , or modify their technique to reduce risk .
Some previously hospitalised patients living with dysphagia in the home may benefit from texture modified meals and fluids . But for some , meals of this nature can be complicated and time consuming to prepare – especially when a service user takes it upon themselves to make the meal from scratch .
Often the process of blending food to an appropriate texture can be challenging and involve addition of water to attempt to achieve the right consistency , which further reduces the nutritional value .
Meal delivery provider Wiltshire Farm Foods has branches across the UK and a range of over 85 Softer Foods for those living with dysphagia . Delivering directly to customers ’ doors it provides good old-fashioned service , and as an occupational therapist you can rest assured that , should your service user have mobility issues , they can benefit from the additional convenience of having meals placed directly in their freezer .
The company ’ s team of dietitians and chefs work closely to ensure meals are nutritious and have developed meals in line with IDDSI guidance across three levels ; purée , minced and moist and soft and bite sized .
Its Purée Petite range provides a smaller portion size for those with reduced appetites , but still contain a minimum of 15g of protein and at least 500 kcal per portion .
The meals are modified to resemble the food components they represent and hold their shape even after cooking . As we ‘ eat with our eyes ’ it is crucial for someone living with dysphagia to eat food that not only tastes good , but looks good and appetising – as they are much more likely to enjoy the experience and therefore want to eat the food and so further reducing the risk of malnutrition .
David Jones , from Perth , couldn ’ t believe how much dysphagia had affected the enjoyment of his
… people living with [ dementia ] may lose the ability to recognise their hunger and thirst cues , as well as develop the inability to feed themselves , due to apraxia or cognitive decline .”
mealtimes : ‘ Going out for meals was no longer a positive experience , but a challenging one , which often involved me trying to avoid getting food all over the place . Then of course there was the worry I might choke .
‘ Eating food in the correct texture allows me to have everything I enjoy eating without any of the previous anxiety I felt around mealtimes . Wiltshire Farm Foods make what was once an unpleasant experience , pleasant again .’
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Bourdel-Marchasson I , Rolland C , Jutand MA , Egea C , Baratchart B , Barberger-Gateau P ( 2009 ) Undernutrition in geriatric institutions in South- West France : Policies and risk factors . ( Burbank , Los Angeles County , Calif .), 25 ( 2 ), 155 – 164 . DOI https :// bit . ly / 4alDhq0 .
Hanson LC , Ersek M , Lin FC , Carey TS ( 2013 ) Outcomes of feeding problems in advanced dementia in a nursing home population . J . Am . Geriatr . Soc . 61:1692 – 1697 . DOI : 10.1111 / jgs . 12448 .
Alzheimer ’ s Society ( no date ) How physical and sensory difficulties can affect eating . Available at https :// bit . ly / 43MvXl6 [ accessed 3 April 2024 ].
International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative ( not dated ) The IDDSI framework . Available at https :// iddsi . org / framework [ accessed 3 April 2024 ].
April 2024 OTnews 35