Foods that are Easy to Chew/Swallow

TromboneAl · 06-07-2008, 05:57 PM

It's my turn to take care of my 92 year old mom. She's doing well considering she was in hospice two years ago!

One problem is that she has trouble chewing and swallowing food, and has a tendency to choke (her doc knows about this).

Anybody have experience with which foods are best in this situation? I can't find any pattern. Cream of Wheat good, rice bad, chicken good, avocado bad, ice cream bad, etc. It may just be a random thing.

Thanks.

simple girl · 06-07-2008, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TromboneAl

It's my turn to take care of my 92 year old mom. She's doing well considering she was in hospice two years ago!

One problem is that she has trouble chewing and swallowing food, and has a tendency to choke (her doc knows about this).

Anybody have experience with which foods are best in this situation? I can't find any pattern. Cream of Wheat good, rice bad, chicken good, avocado bad, ice cream bad, etc. It may just be a random thing.

Thanks.

I assume if her doc is aware then she has had a consult with a speech therapist; I would call that therapist up and ask him/her for suggestions.

crazy connie · 06-07-2008, 06:57 PM

Home made cooked till tender soups. I used to make large pots for everyone and pull a small pot out for grandma and then simmer it for another hour. Could also be a creaminess factor (think about throat coating) from the few items you mentioned Al.

**Rich_in_Tampa** · 06-07-2008, 07:12 PM

Usually one of her health care team can tell you whether she does best on liquids (milk shake consistency at most), puree, soft, or regular. The last three can usually be handled by a blender using almost any food. Liquid usually ends up requiring some type of nutritional supplement.

What were your siblings feeding her? Probably you best guide.

Moemg · 06-07-2008, 08:45 PM

I just returned from taking care of my Mom with some of the same problems . I feed her pasta with chopped up protein and lots of soups . She really liked the noodles with chicken . She also took ensure .

Salaryman · 06-07-2008, 10:34 PM

If it's available, try papaya.
Also, baby food recommendations may also be helpful in your situation.

chinaco · 06-08-2008, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TromboneAl

It's my turn to take care of my 92 year old mom. She's doing well considering she was in hospice two years ago!

One problem is that she has trouble chewing and swallowing food, and has a tendency to choke (her doc knows about this).

Anybody have experience with which foods are best in this situation? I can't find any pattern. Cream of Wheat good, rice bad, chicken good, avocado bad, ice cream bad, etc. It may just be a random thing.

Thanks.

If she is experiencing choking regularly... Have her doctor prescribe a Modified Barium Swallowing test. Medicare will pay for the test. If he will not prescribe the test... go to another doctor.

Swallowing problems can be a symptom of neurological problems. This was the case with my mother. Consider taking her to a neurologist if you have not done so already.

If she is choking, she could aspirate food or liquid and that could result in pneumonia. It could kill her. The information from the MBST and knowledge from the therapist will help you to deal with the problem much more effectively.

In the test, they will use a real-time imaging machine to photograph her swallowing action with different thicknesses of food and types of food. They will give you advice on food and how to hold the head, etc when eating. If her condition is progresses, you may need to get her retested every several months to make adjustments.

You can get thickening agents for liquids. One brand is called Thick-It. It is a starch like substance, but it dissolves in cold liquids more readily. It can be used in soups also.

You may need to begin using a blender to puree certain food.

I do not know the details... but if your mother has a progressive condition, she may eventually need a feeding tube. I know this sound a bit extreme. But if she begins choking regularly, she will become fearful of eating and she will begin losing weight and dehydrating.

Barium Swallow
http://www.massgeneral.org/pcs/Heal_...um_Swallow.pdf

Good luck. If you need to discuss it further PM me... I will be glad to share my experience. I have other advice related to the extended care of a parent also... learned some of it by trial and error unfortunately. What you will find is that piecing together the care puzzle is not easy or obvious.

TromboneAl · 06-08-2008, 09:10 AM

Thanks for the advice, guys!

lazygood4nothinbum · 06-09-2008, 07:54 PM

just to add a thought not yet mentioned, for nonthickened liquids, alzheimer's patients who have trouble swallowing often find it easier to sip through a straw or a sippy cup.

packrat44 · 06-09-2008, 09:49 PM

TromboneAl,

Reading your post reminds me how fortunate I have been. My mother is 91 and father is almost 94. Both are doing very well and living in their own house without any outside help.

I wish your mother well.

Oldbabe · 06-11-2008, 05:16 PM

Very thin smoothies.Watch the ice. Not too cold. Everyone loves fruit!

06-07-2008, 05:57 PM	#1
TromboneAl Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 4,116	Foods that are Easy to Chew/Swallow It's my turn to take care of my 92 year old mom. She's doing well considering she was in hospice two years ago! One problem is that she has trouble chewing and swallowing food, and has a tendency to choke (her doc knows about this). Anybody have experience with which foods are best in this situation? I can't find any pattern. Cream of Wheat good, rice bad, chicken good, avocado bad, ice cream bad, etc. It may just be a random thing. Thanks. __________________ - Al -- Always serious, never joking. No, wait. Never serious... Always... I forget.

06-07-2008, 07:12 PM	#4
Rich_in_Tampa Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Tampa Posts: 5,882	Usually one of her health care team can tell you whether she does best on liquids (milk shake consistency at most), puree, soft, or regular. The last three can usually be handled by a blender using almost any food. Liquid usually ends up requiring some type of nutritional supplement. What were your siblings feeding her? Probably you best guide. __________________ Rich Tampa, FL (10% retired) As if you didn't know..If the above message happens to contain medical content, it's NOT intended as advice, and may not be accurate, applicable or sufficient. Don't rely on it for any medical purpose whatsoever. Consult your own doctor for all medical advice.

06-08-2008, 09:10 AM	#8
TromboneAl Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 4,116	Thanks for the advice, guys! __________________ - Al -- Always serious, never joking. No, wait. Never serious... Always... I forget.

06-09-2008, 07:54 PM	#9
lazygood4nothinbum Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 3,762	just to add a thought not yet mentioned, for nonthickened liquids, alzheimer's patients who have trouble swallowing often find it easier to sip through a straw or a sippy cup. __________________ "off with their heads"~~dr. joseph-ignace guillotin "life should begin with age and its privileges and accumulations, and end with youth and its capacity to splendidly enjoy such advantages."~~mark twain - letter to edward kimmitt 1901

06-09-2008, 09:49 PM	#10
packrat44 Full time employment: Posting here. Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 542	TromboneAl, Reading your post reminds me how fortunate I have been. My mother is 91 and father is almost 94. Both are doing very well and living in their own house without any outside help. I wish your mother well. __________________ Pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered. That's my story and I am sticking to it.

06-07-2008, 06:57 PM	#3
crazy connie Full time employment: Posting here. Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 710	Home made cooked till tender soups. I used to make large pots for everyone and pull a small pot out for grandma and then simmer it for another hour. Could also be a creaminess factor (think about throat coating) from the few items you mentioned Al.

06-07-2008, 08:45 PM	#5
Moemg Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Sarasota,fl. Posts: 3,044	I just returned from taking care of my Mom with some of the same problems . I feed her pasta with chopped up protein and lots of soups . She really liked the noodles with chicken . She also took ensure .

06-07-2008, 10:34 PM	#6
Salaryman Recycles dryer sheets Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 81	If it's available, try papaya. Also, baby food recommendations may also be helpful in your situation.

06-11-2008, 05:16 PM	#11
Oldbabe Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 1,127	Very thin smoothies.Watch the ice. Not too cold. Everyone loves fruit!

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