Swallowing

[exhausted 2015]

Hi all, in need of a bit of information please about swallowing, I know that this can be a problem with dementia sufferers.. But does this happen gradually? it's just that these last couple of months my dad has been saying that is throat is cracking when he says this I normally give him a sweet to suck, he his still eating small meals which have to be mashed and it does take him a while to eat it.. I was wondering if this could be the start of swallowing problems.. Thank you exhausted 2015 xx

 

[Tin]

Have you ruled out a sore throat or mouth ulcer? if he wears dentures, do they still fit?

 

[exhausted 2015]

Have you ruled out a sore throat or mouth ulcer? if he wears dentures, do they still fit?

Hi tin dad is toothless, he does not complain about his mouth just his throat and keeps tugging at it xx

 

[Beate]

Have him assessed by the SALT team (speech and language therapy). They deal with swallowing problems.

 

[exhausted 2015]

Have him assessed by the SALT team (speech and language therapy). They deal with swallowing problems.

Hi beatie thank you.. Do I do this via his gp xx

 

[Beate]

You can. I think you can also self refer. I found a great link here, it's for Scotland but it shouldn't make a difference:
http://givingvoiceuk.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/RCSLT_Dementia_A4_flyer_Web_Oct14.pdf

In fact, I learned from it that it's not just for swallowing problems but also for communication problems in dementia so I might contact them myself!

 

[exhausted 2015]

You can. I think you can also self refer. I found a great link here, it's for Scotland but it shouldn't make a difference:
http://givingvoiceuk.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/RCSLT_Dementia_A4_flyer_Web_Oct14.pdf

In fact, I learned from it that it's not just for swallowing problems but also for communication problems in dementia so I might contact them myself!

Thanks again for the help.. This site is becoming my crutch xx

 

[Eviejt]

My uncle is having difficulties eating, saying the food won't go down and the sensation of needing to "get it out" resulting in wretching and induced vomiting. He also holds fluids and swishes it before swallowing, he has less trouble with sweet food and icecream though.

Can this happen at any stage as although forgetful and confused is still quite physically independent at the moment, still washing and dressing with a bit of prompting.