HEALTH & SAFETY SUMMER
Newsletter
Safe Eating Habits Anyone can choke at any time, however the risk of choking increases when someone is eating or drinking. People with swallowing difficulties and/or learning disability have a further increased risk of choking. Every year people with a learning disability die from choking while eating and drinking which could be prevented. It is important to ensure that people who have swallowing difficulties or who are a choking risk are clearly known with adequately trained staff available to supervise and support. Useful tools to alert staff include care plan, Personal Place Mat, bedside notice or swallowing report. Here are a few tips to remember while eating or assisting someone to eat: • Stay seated while eating. Promote eating at the table, this will ensure that you are eating in an upright position, and focusing solely on eating • Always provide a drink to those who are eating and encourage sips between mouthfuls • Eat in an environment free from distractions, phone calls, unnecessary interruptions or other activities going on at the same time. Consider having meals in a quieter room • If possible, people shouldn’t eat or drink while lying down. However, if people do have to eat in bed, ensure that they are supported to sit upright as much as possible. If the person is in a wheelchair, ensure it is upright with the feet supported and use the wheelchair tray if available
• Serve one course at a time and don’t have the dessert on view • You should not lie down immediately after eating as any residue in the throat could fall into the airway. Try and remain seated upright for 30 minutes • Remove the need to rush by allowing plenty of time to eat before activities, trips out • Try not to eat in a car as choking can often go unnoticed by the person who is driving • Discourage talking while swallowing. Talk before, after or in between courses – mealtimes can still be social. If you want to talk more, allow time after the meal to have a chat • Cut up food into swallow-sized pieces – this is food cut up into pieces that are no larger than 1½ cm • Add a sauce to dry foods to make them easier to chew • Be extra cautious at the end of a meal, the last few spoonful’s are often large and taken at a faster pace.
REMEMBER: If anyone shows signs or symptoms of swallowing difficulties, or is a known choking risk, ensure a risk assessment has been completed and the care plan is up to date. If in doubt, refer to the Speech and Language Therapist (SALT).