There are lots of things you can do to help make eating and drinking safer and more pleasurable. Here are some guidelines.
However, if you are worried; or if the person you care for has had a choking incident or chest infections; or if you feel their swallowing has changed and it is more difficult, please seek advice from a doctor.
How is the person today?
- How is the person today? Are they unwell or tired? If this is not a ‘good day’, do you need to change anything? They may need more help with eating and drinking.
- You may need to think about the best time to support the person you care for to eat and drink. It may not always be a usual mealtime. Some people cope better with smaller meals more often throughout the day. You can have a rest between courses.
How much help do they need?
- Is the person able to eat independently or do they need help?
- How much help do they need? Do they need help to load their cutlery; or support to bring cutlery to their mouth? Or do they need your full support? If they do, they are at much greater risk so we need to use a lot of skill to help people safely.
How are they sitting?
- Sitting at the table helps. Avoid eating and drinking lying on the sofa or in bed.
- If the person you care for is finding it difficult to sit in a safe position for meals, a Physiotherapist or an Occupational Therapist can help
Where are they eating?
- If the person needs to take care when eating and drinking, it might help to try to reduce distractions around them, for example, turn off TV or radio and choose a quiet place to eat
- It might help to avoid talking
- Try to avoid time pressures at mealtimes so that they can eat at a slower and more comfortable pace.
Equipment to help you
- Choose cutlery that they can hold easily. If this is difficult there are many types of adapted cutlery that can help. A smaller spoon/fork might help them to slow down. An Occupational Therapist can help you find the right equipment.
- A non-slip mat can help the person manage their plate/bowl. Some plates have higher sides to make it easier to load cutlery. Some bowls help keep your food warm.
- An open cup will help keep safer head position.
Mouth care
- Brush teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.
- See ‘Healthy Mouth Safer Swallow’ leaflet for more help.
- If you think their teeth or mouth may be painful, please ask a dentist for advice.
- If they have dentures, make sure they fit well. Ask the dentist for help if they are loose or painful.
Eating
- Take small bites of food. If it’s difficult to bite, try cutting food up into smaller pieces.
- Don’t rush. It is important to chew food properly. Pause between mouthfuls, making sure they have swallowed everything in their mouth before taking the next mouthful. They can try a swallow without food to help, or maybe a sip of their drink.
- If they are getting tired, it might help to take little rests, or have smaller meals more often
- If certain types of food are more difficult, please ask your Speech and Language Therapist for advice. You might find that softer food that is moist and even in texture is easier.
Drinking
- Use a short open cup or beaker, so that they don’t have to tip their head backwards. A straw or a beaker with a pop-up spout may work best for you
- Get them to sip (avoid large gulps)
- Take your time
- If they are finding drinks difficult, for example they can’t control them, or they are making them cough, please ask a Speech and Language Therapist for advice.
Medication
- Are they taking tablets or medicine? If they are finding them difficult to swallow, please ask the person who prescribed them for advice.
Communication
- How does the person communicate key important messages to you at mealtimes? How do they communicate whether they like something or not? If they want more or have had enough? If they want you to slow down?
- Try to share what you know about the person’s communication with others who may help at mealtimes too. You could use a communication passport or a specific communication tool for mealtimes.