My Hat’s Off to a New Staff Member

I was recently asked to assess the swallowing function of a dainty and engaging resident at an aged care facility. Her care worker was alert to the fact that she was holding food in her mouth a little too long, before swallowing. Although new to that facility, the carer worker had been working elsewhere and had a solid understanding of swallowing safety.

Even though the sign was a subtle one, he had a feeling that something just wasn’t quite right. Lo and behold, he was ‘spot on’. The resident only needed a minor alteration to her food consistencies to enable her to swallow more easily, without any need to delay her swallow by holding onto the food. She was visibly relieved to now comfortably eat her meal.

My hat’s off to the care worker who was obviously chuffed at recognising this subtle sign of mild dysphagia. Education is not only empowering but essential in this basic function of daily living.

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