November is Alzeheimer’s Awareness Month
Dysphagia (swallowing problems) frequently develop in patients with Alzheimer’s disease and leads to decreased quality of life as well as serious health consequences. Unfortunately, swallowing deficits tend to increase in individuals as dementia progresses such as eating and chewing problems, refusal to eat or drink, suspected dehydration, and persistently reduced oral intake.
A highly skilled speech-language pathologist plays an important role in the proper assessment, treatment, and management of dysphagia in individuals with dementia. Dementia like many other progressive diseases, requires ongoing assessment and modifications to ensure that the individual continues to be safe and relatively free of the risk of aspiration pneumonia.
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