Signs of Dysphagia in People with Dementia

Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, is a common but serious issue that often affects individuals with dementia. This condition can lead to significant health risks, including choking, malnutrition, dehydration, and respiratory infections like pneumonia. Understanding and recognizing the signs of dysphagia is crucial for caregivers to ensure the safety and well-being of their partner with dementia.

Signs of Dysphagia

• Eating slow
• Food pocketing
• Drooling or spitting out food
• Coughing or choking
• Wet, gurgly voice
• Shortness of breath while eating
• Increased anxiety around eating/drinking or refusals
• Verbal complaints of feeling like food is getting stuck in their throat or drink is going "down the wrong pipe"
• Repeated chest infections such as pneumonia
• Weight loss

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If you notice any of these signs please talk to your partner's doctor and ask for a referral for a speech language pathologist. A speech language pathologist will assess the safest food and drinks for a person with dysphagia.