Have you ever observed residents in the dining room during meals and heard coughing? Have you seen food pushed aside or left uneaten and wondered why? Dysphagia in senior care is more common than many realize. It can make the dining experience difficult for residents who struggle with chewing or swallowing. In a previous blog, we discussed oral health and its link to weight loss, dehydration, and malnutrition. Swallowing deficits are also a significant concern for residents.
Swallow evaluations and testing can and should be performed for any resident at risk of aspiration. However, it is not always that simple. Some residents cannot participate due to cognitive decline or overall physical health issues. In many cases, a bedside evaluation is not conclusive. It may also be less accurate than a full swallow study performed in a clinic. This creates another challenge for care providers.
There is some good news. NYC Health + Hospitals/Carter announced the use of Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) to diagnose dysphagia, a swallowing disorder that affects 1 in 25 adults in the United States. A speech-language pathologist performs the FEES test. They insert a small flexible endoscope through the resident’s nose and into the throat. The resident then consumes food or drink colored green. This improves visibility on the diagnostic screen.
If a provider diagnoses dysphagia, the resident receives an individualized care plan. This plan helps manage the condition and reduce the risk of aspiration pneumonia. FEES allows speech-language pathologists to perform bedside evaluations independently. This reduces the need to transport residents to radiology. It also supports more timely evaluations. Faster transitions to oral diets can improve the resident experience.
As communities continue to navigate dysphagia in senior care, tools like FEES offer a more practical option for evaluation. Identifying swallowing challenges early matters. Implementing appropriate interventions can improve both clinical outcomes and quality of life.
Stay well and stay informed!
