Let Us Eat: The ethics of swallowing in older adults at high risk

SLPs recommend modifying consistencies more than ANY other type of intervention. When we are really concerned, we recommend NOTHING by mouth. Most SLPs think this approach works. But does it? The truth is that patients don't understand their recommendations, and most dislike them and disagree with them. The result? Half of our patients ignore us and do what they want without the guidance they need to stay safe and recover... There is a better way. 

Objectives:

1. ​Learn why common dysphagia practices don't work.
2. Utilize a 5-question guideline to seamlessly bring the patient into the planning process. 
3. Incorporate a 3-step protocol for facilitating patient-centered care in your practice.

Why did I put this presentation together?

I recently saw a patient, let's call her Rene, who was highly medically complex. She was on the vent for years, in and out of hospitals, with a long-standing history of chronic disease with recurring aspiration pneumonia. All she wanted was ice cream after months of NPO status. She would tell me often that she'd rather die than go through life without the pleasure of eating. Nobody thought it was possible to get Rene on any PO at all, and, in fact, I got a lot of pushback even from my team, but... we got Rene that ice cream. And we did it safely, too.

My goal:

My goal is to dig into the facts behind NPO status and overly restrictive diet modification measures and offer a guideline that can help us replicate the impact we achieved for Rene. Because my dream is that everyone who can, will eat.

Price: $25

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Please note: This course is offered for ethics credit.

Credits: 1 PDH (PDHs are ASHA-recognized continuing education credits toward the maintenance of your CCCs)

• More on PDHs vs CEUs here
• More on accepted PDH activities here

Complexity: Beginner

Agenda:

• Intro: 5m
• The Problem: 18m
• The Solution
  • Part 1: 11m
  • Part 2: 11m
• The Path:
  • Part 1: 6m
  • Part 2: 6m 

Speaker information: George Barnes, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, is a board-certified specialist in swallowing and swallowing disorders. He has developed expertise in dysphagia management, focusing on diagnostics and clinical decision-making in the medically complex population. George is passionate about making education useful and providing accessible, quality care. With a deep appreciation for the joy and connection that food brings to our lives, he has dedicated his life to helping others enjoy this simple but deep-rooted pleasure.

Financial disclosures: George Barnes is CEO of FEESible Swallow Solutions and receives a percentage of this course's proceeds.

Non-financial disclosures: None

Disclaimer: All photos derived for this course are from a paid subscription to Canva.