Keeping Our Sights on Those in Need

Amidst all the, often overwhelming, amount of information about COVID-19 and the response from the government about Aged Care Reforms, we can lose sight of who is on the frontline of our ageing population.

There are two very important groups involved with those who have been diagnosed with Dysphagia. Of course, we have our dysphagic population whose very sustainability depends on being given the correct level of modified food and fluids at every meal. We’ve all had the uncomfortable experience of food ‘going down the wrong way’ and the coughing episode that inevitably ensues. No one wants to experience that, let alone with every meal or mouthful.

The other invaluable group to help our ageing population avoid that experience, is of course our wonderful carers. Many carers are residential aged care staff in our nursing home facilities. Their role is more important than words can describe. Every day they provide specialised care to each resident as well as managing the seemingly endlessly changing compliances, rules and regulations, particularly in the midst of a pandemic. There are also increasingly more and more home carers who have the full responsibility of ensuring their loved one remains safe and healthy.

Thus, we have two sides of the same coin, each reliant upon the other, one providing the care, one receiving it. Our role is to support both. Our Safe Swallowing Education Course supports residential aged care staff and those caring for our ageing population to better understand and manage swallowing difficulties and to easily implement the new food and fluid modifications set out by the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI). The Course provides information on how we swallow, understanding a swallowing problem (dysphagia) and safe strategies to support residents and carers at mealtimes. 

Feel supported, Take the Course.