It’s Amazing that such a Little Known Fact could cause such a Devastating Effect

Working in Aged Care, you would realise that, amongst the top three most common causes of death in aged care facilities, is choking. Of those presenting with a swallowing difficulty (known also as Dysphagia), in 75% of cases, there is no ‘bodily siren’ of coughing, warning of impending danger. This is known as Silent Aspiration. For some then, there are absolutely no symptoms or external warning signs of aspiration. The food or drink is heading straight for the lungs and you just cannot tell.

When food or drink make their way into your lungs, they can damage the tissues there. The damage can sometimes be severe. Aspiration also increases the risk of pneumonia. This is an infection of the lungs that causes fluid to build up in the lungs. Not only painful, pneumonia can lead to hospitalisation, further infection and even death in the elderly.

Don’t risk a lack of understanding about Safe Swallowing and what you need to know to care for those who may be at risk of choking or silent aspiration. 

Ensuring Aged Care Staff have the right tools to identify this danger is a vital part of our important role in caring for the elderly. As a speech pathologist with 35 years’ experience in this training, I'm offering my online Safe Swallowing Education Course which is cost effective and completed in an hour. Facility managers are advised who has completed the Course and participants receive a Certificate of Completion. 

Take the Course