Try This: Preventing Aspiration in Older Adults with Dysphagia

This month's How to Try This topic focuses on preventing aspiration in older adults with dysphagia.

Dysphagia, the impairment of any part of the swallowing process, increases the risk of aspiration. Dysphagia and aspiration are associated with the development of aspiration pneumonia. While some changes in swallowing may be a natural result of aging, dysphagia is especially prevalent among older adults with neurologic impairment or dementia, leading to an increased risk of aspiration and aspiration pneumonia.

This article discusses best practices for assessment and prevention of aspiration among older adults who are being hand-fed or fed by tube.

How to Try This is a collaborative project of the Hartford Institute forGeriatric Nursing at NYU's College of Nursing and the American Journal ofNursing. Two topics from the Hartford Institute's Try This series will be made available each month through December 2008 in cost-free, Web-based resources including demonstration videos and companion articles in the AJN.T hese resources are designed to build knowledge and assessment skills amongthose caring for older adults.

http://www.nursingcenter.com/pdf.asp