Improving Quality of Life for Residents with Dysphagia

Improving Quality of Life for Residents with Dysphagia:
Recreation Therapy and Speech-Language Pathology Collaborations at the Sunnybrook Veterans Centre

Jennifer Ashby
Recreation therapist BKin, PDip (TR) Hons., R/TRO, CTRS

Jennifer Wong
Speech-Language Pathologist MHSc, S-LP(C) Reg. CASLPO

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Interprofessional Team Members

Melissa Altmeyer, RTA Jennifer Ashby, RT Amber Hall, RT Nicole Pittman, RT

Jessica Davenport, SLP Kristen Paulseth, SLP [Stephanie Pietrouisti, CDA] Jennifer Wong, SLP

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Learning Objectives
• Comprehend the impacts of dysphagia on participation and quality of life
• Recognize how small changes to current practice can have significant effects on quality of resident/patient care
• Evaluate accessibility in your own current practice and identify possible areas for improvement
• Learn about new updates and practices
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What is Dysphagia?
• Dysphagia (dis-fay-juh) is the medical term for a swallowing disorder, meaning a difficulty or inability to swallow
• As many as 60% of people living in long-term care have a swallowing disorder
• Left untreated, this disorder can be life-threatening, and can have a devastating effect on a person’s social, emotional and physical well-being
(Adapted from: http://maymonth.ca/wpcontent/uploads/2017/03/Dysphagia_info-sheet_EN.pdf)
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First, a little bit about you…
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Do you have a thickening guideline or information to guide practice for residents with dysphagia?
1. Yes 2. No

0%

0%

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Are your clients with dysphagia able to access programming just as well as clients without dysphagia?
1. Strongly agree 2. Agree 3. Neither agree nor disagree 4. Disagree 5. Strongly disagree

0% 0% 0% 0% 0%

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I have strategies to ensure dysphagia-friendly programming in my facility
1. Strongly agree 2. Agree 3. Neither agree nor disagree 4. Disagree 5. Strongly disagree

0% 0% 0% 0% 0%

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How easy would it be to modify your existing programs to improve access for residents with dysphagia?
1. Very easy 2. Easy 3. Neither easy nor difficult 4. Difficult 5. Very difficult

0% 0% 0% 0% 0%

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A little bit about us
• Long-term care facility:
– Nursing home – Complex continuing care – Palliative care
• Our average residents:
– 535 beds total – Veterans of the Second World War or Korean War
(479 beds, 15 patient care units, average age = 92.5) – Patients on dedicated palliative care units
(56 beds, 2 patient care units)
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