So dad was placed on a mashed diet about 18 months ago (maybe a bit longer) after several choking episodes. This was arranged after two different members of the SALT team had assessed him. He could still just about talk at the time.
Since then, he has moved care home and lives in a different local authority. His dementia has progressed and he can barely speak, and his mouth is open most the time because the muscles have slackened. But he is alert, if a little anxious.
His new home noticed he was coughing a lot while drinking, so the doctor prescribed thickeners for his drinks. He seemed to notice no difference! And it improved the coughing. The home also arranged for the SALT team in his new local area to visit.
Well... the person from SALT assessed dad this week and has said he doesn't need the mashed diet, he's ok with a normal diet. Apparently she was there for hours, observed two meal times, gave him biscuits, watched him drink and has ordered that he be taken off the mashed food and thickener.
I'm feeling a bit shocked by it to be honest, so wondered what others think??? Can PWD improve in this way? Has it happened to anyone else here, and how did it go? The carers aren't too happy about it but have to follow orders... they will still use discretion not give dad boiled sweets etc (eek, the thought of it!).
I did wonder if it has anything do with his trazodone being reduced a couple of months ago, and perhaps less sedation is helping. But as I mentioned above, his anxiety/agitation seems to have increased again. Sigh. Not sure if this would affect his eating though.
Since then, he has moved care home and lives in a different local authority. His dementia has progressed and he can barely speak, and his mouth is open most the time because the muscles have slackened. But he is alert, if a little anxious.
His new home noticed he was coughing a lot while drinking, so the doctor prescribed thickeners for his drinks. He seemed to notice no difference! And it improved the coughing. The home also arranged for the SALT team in his new local area to visit.
Well... the person from SALT assessed dad this week and has said he doesn't need the mashed diet, he's ok with a normal diet. Apparently she was there for hours, observed two meal times, gave him biscuits, watched him drink and has ordered that he be taken off the mashed food and thickener.
I'm feeling a bit shocked by it to be honest, so wondered what others think??? Can PWD improve in this way? Has it happened to anyone else here, and how did it go? The carers aren't too happy about it but have to follow orders... they will still use discretion not give dad boiled sweets etc (eek, the thought of it!).
I did wonder if it has anything do with his trazodone being reduced a couple of months ago, and perhaps less sedation is helping. But as I mentioned above, his anxiety/agitation seems to have increased again. Sigh. Not sure if this would affect his eating though.