The Fall 2008 CurePSP Magazine (psp.org) has a good article on swallowing problems that may be of interest to everyone — not just those dealing with PSP (progressive supranuclear palsy).
I’ve copied the full text below. At some point, the newsletter will be available on psp.org; I received it in the mail this week. You can sign up online at psp.org to receive a copy of future newsletters in the mail.
Robin
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Tools for Meal Time
Laura Purcell Verdun, MA, CCC
Speech-Language Pathologist
Otolaryngology Associates, PC
Fairfax, VA
CurePSP Magazine
Fall 2008 Issue
Difficulty swallowing, or dysphagia, is commonly associated with many neurodegenerative diseases, specifically PSP or CBD. In fact, difficulty swallowing may be one of the early symptoms of this disorder. Given that complications related to difficulty swallowing are one of the most common causes of mortality, attention needs to be directed towards optimizing the ease and safety of swallowing.
What changes in eating and swallowing should we look for?
There are actually fairly typical behavioral changes with eating in PSP and CBD. These often include difficulty looking down at the plate, mouth stuffing and rapid drinking, difficulty with self-feeding because of tremor or stiffness, restricted head and neck posture, and occasional difficulty opening the mouth. These behaviors can make it more difficult to swallow and often contribute to decompensation of the swallowing mechanism resulting in coughing and choking. Caregivers need to look out for these behaviors, because the person with PSP or CBD often is not aware of these changes.
What are some tools that we can use to help make meal times more successful?
1. Use a suction machine, toothette swab (a pink or green sponge on a lollipop-type stick), or mouth rinse prior to meals to clear out secretions which may interfere with ease of swallowing.
2. A firm chair with arms to support sitting upright for proper swallowing alignment is most ideal.
3. Keep the plate in the line of vision, by placing the plate on top of a book or something similar, or substituting reading glasses for bifocals.
4. Try experimenting with different plates and utensils. Plates with higher edges and bottom grips enhance independence with eating. Downsize eating utensils to limit how much food is being put in per mouthful.
5. Experiment with different cups and glasses. Some are just easier to drink out of than others, depending on a handle or even the thickness and shape of the lip. Straws are generally not preferred because it results in acceleration of the liquid into the throat before it’s ready.
6. Use a blender or food processor. The goal is not to eliminate foods necessarily, but consider how they could be prepared difficultly to enhance ease and safety of swallowing. Multiple consistency items such as fruit cocktail and broth based soups generally should be avoided, so blend them.
7. A teaspoon can be used to restrict the amount of liquid placed in the mouth for each swallow.
Though clearly not a comprehensive list, here are some specific products that may be of benefit at meal times. Look for other products available on these web sites as well:
Flexi-Cut Cup allows for drinking without extending the head and neck backwards, 3 sizes available (800/225-2610, www.alimed.com).
Provale Cup restricts the volume of liquid allowed per swallow (800/225-2610, www.alimed.com).
Maroon Spoons have a narrow shallow bowl to restrict how much food is placed on the spoon and in the mouth, come in 2 sizes (800/897-3202, www.proedinc.com). [Robin’s note: that’s the correct website! You can also find these spoons at AliMed.]
Less Mess Spoon is designed with holes to keep food on the spoon, or drain away liquid from a multiple consistency food item (800/257-5376, www.theraproducts.com).
Scooper Plate with Non-Skid Base has a high curve to help scoop food onto a utensil (913/390-0247, www.bindependent.com).
Skidtrol Non-Skid Bowl is a melamine bowl with non-skid base (972/628-7600, www.maddak.com).
Are there any cookbooks that may give us some ideas regarding meal preparation for people with trouble swallowing?
Achilles E and Levin T. The Dysphagia Cookbook. 2003. Cumberland House Publishing.
MEALS for Easy Swallowing. 2005. Muscular Dystrophy Association Publications. [Robin’s note: the correct link to this book is www.als-mda.org/publications/meals/ The full contents of this book, including the recipes, are available online.]
Weihofen D, Robbins J, Sullivan P. Easy-to-Swallow Easy-to-Chew Cookbook. 2002. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Wilson JR and Piper MA. I Can’t Chew Cookbook: Delicious Soft Diet Recipes for People with Chewing, Swallowing, and Dry-Mouth Disorders. 2003. Hunter House, Inc.
Woodruff S and Gilbert-Henderson L. Soft Foods for Easier Eating Cookbook: Recipes for People who have Chewing and Swallowing Difficulties. 2007. Square One Publishers.
If you have any concerns regarding swallowing, be sure to discuss this further with your neurologist and speech pathologist.