Dysphagia Awareness

To promote awareness of dysphagia and its consequences and provide underpinning knowledge associated with best care for people with dysphagia.

To provide an overview of new dysphagia diet standards and promote the safety and well-being of all patients who have dysphagia.

DESCRIPTION

By the end of the course, candidates will be able to:

• Describe relevant anatomy and physiology
• List different causes of dysphagia
• Describe the range of signs and symptoms
• Discuss the impact of dysphagia on daily life
• Recognise potential consequences of dysphagia
• Understand the need to manage health and safety risk
• Describe the range of strategies that may help and support a person who has dysphagia, including diet, oral hygiene, taking medications and assistance with eating
• Identify and discuss the range of available equipment

Learners will be assessed by –

• Ability to answer questions during course
• Discussion following feedback from activities

Course Content

• Learning aims
• Learning objectives
• Anatomy and Physiology
• Swallowing
  • Oral phase
  • Pharyngeal phase
  • Oesophageal phase
• What is dysphagia?
• Causes of dysphagia
• Signs and symptoms
• Impact on daily life
• Malnutrition
• Dehydration
• Choking risk
• Choking first aid
• Assessment
• Tests
• Diet
• Assisting with eating
• Swallowing tips
• Artificial nutrition
• Communication
• Oral hygiene
• Environment
• Taking medications
• Summary