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What it is: Dysphagia is difficulty swallowing. The person finds it difficult to swallow food or liquid, including medications in liquid or tablet form.
Why it matters: Dysphagia is common in older people and people in palliative care. Careworkers have an important role in supporting oral care and positioning of the person. Dysphagia can lead to:
What I need to know: Any changes to the normal function of the mouth, pharynx or larynx or oesophagus can cause dysphagia.
Dysphagia may be due to:
Dysphagia is common in advanced or terminal illness. Dysphagia is also associated with neurological conditions particularly:
People providing meal time assistance should have received training in assisting people with swallowing problems and managing choking episodes.
Look out for and report to nursing/supervisory staff if a person:
When someone is dying, their family can be upset that they are not eating or drinking. You can:
Dysphagia is difficulty with what?
What are some of the signs I should look out for and report to nursing/supervisory staff?
See related palliAGED Practice Tip Sheets:
Advance Dementia
Nutrition and Hydration
Oral Care
For references and the latest version of all the Tip Sheets visit www.palliaged.com.au/Practice-Centre/For-Careworkers
CareSearch is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Updated July 2022