[Dysphagia] Dementia Patient Feeding

[SPalm1532 at aol.com (SPalm1532@aol.com)]

In some patients with whom I have worked, we have tried a thinner pureed  
diet from a cup. With the decreased ability to integrate sensory  information, 
they seem to accept a cup, often holding it themselves  (?activation of 
functional memory) and take it to their mouth, triggering a  swallow of the previous 
bolus, without resistance. Maybe the cup is less  invasive than a utensil, 
there is hypersensitivity to textures or  contrasting textures or the patient 
reverts to the basic level of drinking.  Also, providing sweet items may appeal to 
sweet receptors which may be the last  remaining receptors. Good Luck, hope 
you find an answer. S. Palmer, MS,  CCC-SLP