There is a lot of talk about the food that is served in aged care communities and nursing homes. Often, people with regular eating habits don’t understand the nutritional and practical needs of aged residents.
Food thickeners allow many residents with dysphagia or other conditions, to eat the food they love, and because regular drinks can prove too difficult to drink, and may enter the lungs, it is recommended to thicken liquids.
Many aged care and nursing home residents struggle with dysphagia, a condition brought upon with old age, strokes, cancer, dementia and Parkinson’s disease.
Food thickeners are ideal for residents living with dysphagia, and not only improves their ability to swallow, but greatly impacts their health, and quality of life.
The taste factors
Many aged care residents complain about the taste of thickening agents, and this is where Supercol’s guar gum thickener is the solution they were looking for, not only does Supercol allow them to eat and drink what they love, but it also thickens the liquids without affecting the taste.
Supercol thickeners takes away the frustration of being unable to drink thin liquids, keeping aged care residents safe, and nourished.
What is aspiration?
Aspiration is where a person swallows their food or drink, and it goes down the wrong passage, entering the lungs or airway.
Aspiration is common in people who have dysphagia, or those who’ve had a stroke.
Aspiration is a big concern within aged care communities and nursing homes, and can lead to more serious conditions, including infection, tissue damage, and aspiration pneumonia.
Preventing aspiration in older adults with dysphagia
Supercol’s thickener makes it easier for the aged to swallow their food, and to prevent accidental spillage into the pharynx.
Positional swallowing techniques can also be used, including a rotation of the head, or a chin tuck technique.
Other tips include:
- Resting the person for 30 minutes before mealtimes.
- Sit upright in chair
- Use small bite sizes
- Slow down eating time
- Vary placement of food in mouth, in cases of paralysis
- Minimise the use of sedatives
For aged care communities or nursing homes, please call or email for more information or pricing.
For order enquiries please call (07) 3314 7270 or email to sales@supercol.com.au.
