Knowledge is Power
Let Us Eat
The Ethics of Swallowing in Older Adults at High Risk
SLPs recommend modifying consistencies more than ANY other type of intervention. When we are really concerned, we recommend NOTHING by mouth. Most SLPs think this approach works. But does it? The truth is that patients don't understand their recommendations, and most dislike them and disagree with them. The result? Half of our patients ignore us and do what they want without the guidance they need to stay safe and recover... There is a better way.
Why did I put this presentation together?
I recently saw a patient, let's call her Rene, who was highly medically complex. She was on the vent for years, in and out of hospitals, with a long-standing history of chronic disease with recurring aspiration pneumonia. All she wanted was ice cream after months of NPO status. She would tell me often that she'd rather die than go through life without the pleasure of eating. Nobody thought it was possible to get Rene on any PO at all, and, in fact, I got a lot of pushback even from my team, but... we got Rene that ice cream. And we did it safely, too.
My goal:
My goal is to dig into the facts behind NPO status and overly restrictive diet modification measures and offer a guideline that can help us replicate the impact we achieved for Rene. Because my dream is that everyone who can, will eat.
Objectives:
Learn why current dysphagia practices don't work.
Utilize a 5-question guideline to seamlessly bring the patient into the planning process.
Incorporate a 3-step protocol for facilitating patient-centered care in your practice.
Let us eat. It’s what you’d want for your mom. It’s what you’d want for yourself. Let’s get there together.
Terresa R.
“I feel that I am better equipped to provide accurate information to my older, more medically complex patients and their families so that they can make informed decisions about their diets and liquids.”
Carissa C.
"Awesome course! Loved it. I especially like the case studies because they help bring it all together in a tangible way. Going to share with my coworkers”
Introduction
Get a sneak peak at the course…