This article provides valuable insights into choosing a suitable thickener for the elderly, identifying safe brands, and avoiding potential risks, empowering you to make informed decisions for yourself or a loved one.

While navigating the world of thickening agents for the elderly may seem daunting, this simple guide offers assistance.

Considerations when selecting a Dysphagia thickener for Seniors

1. Easy to mix

One crucial factor to consider when selecting a thickener is its ease of mixing. A thickener that is easy to mix can save valuable time during meal preparation, allowing caretakers and individuals with dysphagia to focus on other aspects of mealtime.

An easy-to-mix thickener can help prevent lumps or clumps in the liquid, ensuring a smooth and consistent texture that is easier to swallow. And Supercol’s unique formulation allows for just that  – quick and effortless mixing for a smooth texture every time.

2. Minimal impact on taste

When choosing a thickener for dysphagia, minimising the impact on taste is crucial. No one wants to eat something that tastes bad!

Luckily, Supercol food and drink thickener blends seamlessly with various liquids without altering their flavours. This is particularly important as individuals with dysphagia often struggle with changes in taste and texture.

3. Consistency

Select a thickening agent that delivers the intended texture. Opting for an easily mixable thickener like Supercol can prevent the formation of lumps or clumps in the liquid, resulting in a uniform consistency that is more manageable for swallowing and true to the original food or drink.

4. Ingredients

When choosing a food and drink thickener for elderly dysphagia sufferers, avoid ingredients like thickeners with high levels of sugar and artificial flavours and colours.

Instead, choose natural ingredients such as guar gum. Made from the guar bean, guar gum is a natural galactomannan that helps to hold and thicken food without creating an unpleasant texture.

The source of Supercol’s guar gum is the nourishing guar bean, which is abundant in fibre and has been associated with lower blood glucose and cholesterol levels.

5. Safety

Choose a thickener that is specifically formulated for dysphagia and has been tested for safety.

Supercol Australia works in partnership with ISO and Food Safety System Certification 22000 (FSSC 22000) accredited suppliers to ensure that only the finest quality guar gum is used in our thickener.

6. Individual preferences and dietary restrictions

It’s crucial to consider individual preferences and dietary restrictions to ensure compliance and enjoyment of meals.

Consulting with a healthcare professional is strongly advised to ensure the best choice based on the individual’s specific needs.

6 Key considerations when selecting thickener for elderly dysphagia sufferers

Selecting the right food and drink thickener for elderly dysphagia sufferers involves carefully considering various factors such as mixing methods, taste preferences, desired consistency, and dietary restrictions. It’s crucial to prioritise safety when choosing a thickening agent and ensure it meets all necessary health standards.

Additionally, being mindful of individual dietary requirements and restrictions is essential to avoid any adverse effects. By taking these considerations into account, you can make informed decisions about the best thickening options for your specific needs.

Remember to consult with a healthcare professional or nutritionist if you have any concerns or questions about choosing the right thickener for your food and drinks.

If you are looking after an older family member or a person with difficulty swallowing, Supercol may have the solution you are looking for. We invite you to our website for more information about us, to shop or to contact us directly.

Babies tend to spend a lot of time on their back, so reflux is a lot more noticeable, and it is normal for all babies to experience some form of reflux on a daily basis. In most cases, the reflux is not a cause for concern, but it does require attention if the reflux interferes with the baby’s health, and quality of life.

Potential red flags include discomfort or weight loss, and this might be an indication of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Symptoms of Infant Reflux

Occasional reflux is normal, and does not require a visit to the family doctor, but there are times when it is best to speak to your GP.

Contact your GP if your baby:

• Is not gaining weight
• Projectile vomits
• Spits up green or yellow fluid
• Spits up blood
• Refuses to eat
• Has blood in their stool
• Struggles to breathe
• Coughs chronically
• Is unhappy after eating

What causes reflux?

Infant reflux is normally due to the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES) not being fully developed, and allowing the stomach contents to flow back up. This will recover with time. This is also made worse due to babies lying flat, consuming a liquid diet, and in cases where the baby was born prematurely.

More serious causes include:

• GERD – High acid in the reflux can damage the lining of the oesophagus
• Pyloric stenosis – A narrowing of the valve between the stomach and the small intestine
• Food intolerance – Brought upon by the protein in cow’s milk
• Eosinophilic oesophagitis – A build-up of eosinophil, damaging the lining of the oesophagus

Complications of reflux

Most babies outgrow infant reflux, and will make a full recovery.

More serious conditions, including GERD, may affect and even stunt growth, and they may develop GERD in later years.

Diagnosing Infant Reflux

Your GP will conduct a physical exam, ask questions about your baby’s symptoms, and where needed, refer you to a paediatrician.

Additional testing may be required, including:

• An ultrasound to test for pyloric stenosis
• Lab tests to identify causes of projectile vomiting
• pH Monitoring of your baby’s oesophagus to test acidity
• X-Rays to test for abnormalities in the digestive tract
• An upper endoscopy to video possible causes

Treating infant reflux

Most babies can be treated with changes to diet, sleep positioning, using food thickeners, and waiting for them to outgrow their symptoms.

Medication may be used if the baby suffers from asthma, has poor weight gain, refuses to eat, or have an inflamed oesophagus.

Surgery is an extreme procedure that will tighten the oesophageal sphincter. This procedure is normally only required if the reflux interferes with growth or breathing.

The object of IDDSI is to develop a standardised way of naming and describing texture modified foods and thickened liquids for people with Dysphagia across the lifespan.

Australia is currently in the PREPARE phase, with adoption of IDDSI scheduled for 1 May 2019.  The implementation process is being led by the Australian IDDSI Steering Committee.   Australian clinicians are asked to continue to use the current Australian Standards for Texture Modified Foods and Fluids while IDDSI education activities occur and resources are being developed to assist with Australian transition to IDDSI for 1 May 2019.

In addition to the current three mixing levels of Mildly Thick, Moderately Thick and Extremely Thick under current Australian Standards there will be a further two levels: Slightly Thick and Thin.  To view the new framework being implemented by IDDSI or to read further important IDDSI information please see the following link:

http://iddsi.org/framework/

Supercol Australia is currently working with our food technician’s to allow a smooth transition to the new framework being implemented by IDDSI.  As always, our friendly staff are on hand to answer any questions you may have in relation to this or any other Supercol related enquiries!