Swallowing

Dysphagia is the medical term for difficulty chewing, moving or swallowing food and fluids safely.
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Adults with dysphagia may cough or choke when eating, feel like food is “stuck”, avoid certain textures or take much longer to finish meals.​

• Swallowing problems can be linked to conditions such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, head and neck cancer, cerebral palsy and other neurological or medical conditions.
• If untreated, dysphagia can lead to dehydration, weight loss, chest infections, malnutrition, prolonged hospitalisation and reduced independence.

Swallowing difficulties, also known as dysphagia, can affect a person’s ability to safely chew, move and swallow food, drinks or medication. Difficulties may occur at different stages of the swallowing process and can vary from mild discomfort through to significant safety concerns.

Common signs can include:

• coughing or choking during or after meals
• a wet or gurgly voice after eating or drinking
• food or drinks feeling stuck
• difficulty managing certain textures
• taking much longer than usual to finish meals
• avoiding particular foods or drinks
• unexplained weight loss or dehydration
• recurring chest infections

A speech pathologist can assess swallowing function and recommend practical strategies to help make eating and drinking safer, more comfortable and as independent as possible.

Care2Communicate’s speech pathologists provide swallowing assessments and management plans in a range of settings, including aged care facilities, day programs, supported workplaces and clients’ homes across Sydney.

Mobile and outreach services make it easier for adults to receive support in environments where they usually eat and drink.

• Therapists work closely with nursing staff, support workers, allied health teams and family members to ensure consistent strategies at every meal.
• Group education sessions can also be provided to staff and carers to build confidence in supporting safe mealtimes.
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• During a swallowing assessment, the speech pathologist will talk through medical history, current concerns and usual eating patterns, then observe the person eating and drinking different textures.
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  This helps identify which parts of the swallowing process are affected and what level of support is needed.

• Recommendations may include modifying food textures, thickening fluids, changing posture, adjusting mealtime routines or using specific strategies to improve safety.
• For some people, further investigations (such as instrumental assessments ordered by a medical team) may be recommended to gain more detailed information.

Care2Communicate develops individualised mealtime management plans that outline safe food and fluid textures, positioning, supervision needs and step‑by‑step strategies for carers to follow.

These plans are tailored to each person’s swallowing abilities, independence and cognitive status.

• Speech pathologists also provide training on frameworks such as the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI), helping staff and families prepare safe meals and drinks.
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• Education often covers recognising signs of dysphagia, when to seek medical review and how to support dignified, enjoyable mealtimes.
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