Anyone can occasionally get some food stuck in their throat while eating but consistent problems while swallowing may indicate a condition that can be frightening to have, especially if your elderly loved one lives alone. A 24-hour home care team can help them learn safer ways to eat and if necessary, work with them to create meals that reduce the likelihood of their risk of choking on what they’re eating.

Dysphagia Defined

24-Hour Home Care Bakersfield CA – Dysphagia Symptoms and Concerns

Dysphagia is a term used to describe a health condition where someone has recurring problems with swallowing. It can develop for anyone at any time, but it is more common in the elderly and those who have neurological or nervous system conditions such as Parkinson’s disease or dementia. Any condition that weakens or damages the throat muscles and nerves or leads to the narrowing of the back of the throat or esophagus can cause dysphagia and put your loved one at risk.

Dysphagia Symptoms

Dysphagia may cause symptoms in varying stages of the swallowing process so the symptoms can be different based on what type of dysphagia your elderly loved one suffers from.

Symptoms can include:

• Not being able to swallow solid items or thick liquids
• Pain while trying to swallow
• A feeling that food is stuck in the throat or chest after swallowing
• Food coming back up after swallowing
• Coughing or gagging while eating
• Heartburn from stomach acid entering the throat
• Drooling
• Hoarseness
• Weight loss

Complications and Concerns for Those with Dysphagia

Living with dysphagia can be frightening. Your loved one may not know when he’ll struggle to swallow and when he won’t. That fear can lead to him reducing what he eats and not getting enough calories each day. From that lack of calories, he may become malnourished, dehydrated, and underweight. All of those conditions can lead to other health complications.

If your loved one does aspirate some food into his lungs, he could develop aspiration pneumonia as a result of the food introducing bacteria into the lungs. Pneumonia can quickly become a serious condition for the elderly.

Finally, dysphagia can lead to choking when food gets stuck in the airway and your loved one may not be able to clear it out without the help of someone nearby to intervene and perform the Heimlich maneuver to remove the blockage. A serious incident can lead to death.

24-Hour Home Care Can Assist with Keeping Your Loved One Safe When He Eats

If your loved one or you are worried about living alone with dysphagia and having a family member move in with them is not an option, your loved one might find peace of mind by having a 24-hour home care team join him. With 24-hour home care, a team of individuals will take 8 or 12-hour shifts to stay in the home with your loved one without needing sleeping quarters. Someone will always be awake and available.

If your loved one is concerned about choking occurring with his dysphagia whenever he eats, having a 24-hour home care provider always available to step in and help can bring peace of mind to your loved one and you that if he does struggle to swallow his food, someone will be there to step in and help or get help.

If you or an aging loved one are considering 24-Hour Home Care Services in Bakersfield CA, please get in touch with the caring staff at Everlight Home Care today. Call us at 559-353-2847.

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Gina Kendall

Gina Kendall has over 25 years of work experience serving the aging and the disabled. Her extensive experience in care and management began as a Social Services Coordinator in skilled nursing facilities. While working in this capacity, she became aware of the need for, and the importance of, good, quality, home care. Gina worked with families to keep their loved ones home and avoid a return visit to the hospital. As she continued her career of service, she began working with the disabled population helping to expand and improve their independence throughout all aspects of life.

This combination of experiences has afforded Gina a unique view of the needs of the aging and the disabled and how to best serve those needs in a home setting.

Gina’s Central Valley roots run deep. She earned her BA degree from Fresno State in 1993 and has lived and worked in Fresno for the past 20 years. In addition to raising her family in Fresno, she is actively involved in her local church and is a volunteer for various local community organizations.

Latest posts by Gina Kendall (see all)

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