Where There Is No SLP - Swallowing Strategies (second in a series)

What can you do, if your home health patient doesn't have speech therapy - but doesn't swallow well? Swallowing breakdown not only can challenge a patient's respiratory system, but also can be a serious barrier to general health. Swallowing problems (dysphagia) are such a high - risk problem, that they are often the first reason doctors refer their patients to SLP. Preventing long - term effects of challenges to a patient's nutrition/hydration is a worthy goal of home health intervention.

Where there is no SLP, you can still have a positive effect on the patient's oral health and hydration status. How does the patient maintain oral care? The mouth can be a portal to many bad things. Encourage the best possible oral care.

Dehydration is easily achieved, but sometimes not easily corrected. The clinical signs of dehydration you can easily see. Even sharing an ounce of water with the patient during a therapy visit can be a reminder: SIP VOLUMES OF BEVERAGES EACH MORNING TIL NIGHT.