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Ihave concerns about her ability to swallow . Any advice on what she can and cannot eat or swallow? i is a straw a safer way for to drink water and fluids?
Meats were the first thing that caused serious choking for us, as well as plain water. Some people caution against straws but my mom did well with them. We eventually needed to puree all her food and thicken her drinks to a milkshake like consistency.
If you'd some help planning her meals you may catch more eyes if you post a new question with that in the title.
The first thing I recall having to do for my Husband was to cut up his food pretty small. Often meals went to mostly finger foods Then it was on to pureeing his food. When I had to start thickening fluids it began as "nectar" thick then progressed to pudding thick. I also had to remove any "slippery" foods that might slide easily down the throat and possibly go into the trachea rather than the esophagus. Things like peaches, nectarines, plums and orange pieces. Anything that feels slippery. When you have to thicken liquids things like ice cream, popsicles, Jello and gelatin like things turn to liquid so avoid those things. Stick with puddings, custards, pureed fruit, yogurt with fruit mixed in. Breakfast became cooked cereals like oatmeal, cream of wheat, cream of rice, (cooking an egg with the cereal that last few minutes gave him a bit more protein) yogurt. And since he slept more during the day breakfast was very often soup that I would puree.
What are you seeing now that indicates there is a swallow deficit? How long have you noticed this, and what is the exact dementia your Mom suffers from? Is she on a special mechanical soft or puree diet? Are fluids more problematic than solids? Is there any Parkinson's diagnosis?
As you can see, yours is a complicated question that requires real medical evaluation. Often your doctor can order a swallow evaluation consult and this can often be done by the PT/OT (OT) department. They will order further testing if required. This is something that must be individually and correctly diagnosed as the danger of aspiration of food into the lung is present in real deficits and can result in aspiration pneumonia and death.
There can in late stages be deficits so severe that you are down to having to decide whether tube feedings should be considered. I wish you the best. Speak to your mom's doctor.
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
https://www.agingcare.com/articles/swallowing-disorders-tips-for-using-food-and-beverage-thickeners-208048.htm
She may also need her food modified to make swallowing easier.
https://www.agingcare.com/articles/dysphagia-how-to-help-a-loved-one-eat-and-drink-safely-187010.htm
Meats were the first thing that caused serious choking for us, as well as plain water. Some people caution against straws but my mom did well with them. We eventually needed to puree all her food and thicken her drinks to a milkshake like consistency.
If you'd some help planning her meals you may catch more eyes if you post a new question with that in the title.
Then it was on to pureeing his food.
When I had to start thickening fluids it began as "nectar" thick then progressed to pudding thick.
I also had to remove any "slippery" foods that might slide easily down the throat and possibly go into the trachea rather than the esophagus. Things like peaches, nectarines, plums and orange pieces. Anything that feels slippery.
When you have to thicken liquids things like ice cream, popsicles, Jello and gelatin like things turn to liquid so avoid those things. Stick with puddings, custards, pureed fruit, yogurt with fruit mixed in.
Breakfast became cooked cereals like oatmeal, cream of wheat, cream of rice, (cooking an egg with the cereal that last few minutes gave him a bit more protein)
yogurt. And since he slept more during the day breakfast was very often soup that I would puree.
What are you seeing now that indicates there is a swallow deficit? How long have you noticed this, and what is the exact dementia your Mom suffers from? Is she on a special mechanical soft or puree diet? Are fluids more problematic than solids?
Is there any Parkinson's diagnosis?
As you can see, yours is a complicated question that requires real medical evaluation. Often your doctor can order a swallow evaluation consult and this can often be done by the PT/OT (OT) department. They will order further testing if required.
This is something that must be individually and correctly diagnosed as the danger of aspiration of food into the lung is present in real deficits and can result in aspiration pneumonia and death.
There can in late stages be deficits so severe that you are down to having to decide whether tube feedings should be considered.
I wish you the best. Speak to your mom's doctor.