What if you were afraid ever to bite an apple again?

Eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties (or dysphagia) are more common than people think, according an older people’s charity.

Research has shown that 16 – 23% of the general population have difficulties eating, drinking or swallowing, rising to 27% of those over 76 years.

In a link up with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, MEAAP has produced an information booklet to help people manage their condition better, funded by The Community Foundation Northern Ireland, Community Innovators programme.

MEAAP has also planned a ‘Hard to Swallow’ awareness campaign during the month of March and has organised training on the condition. The session will be held via Zoom on March 11 at 1.30pm.

Louise O’Neill, speech and language therapist and Jemma Jackson, dietician, will discuss how to recognise the signs of the condition, explain what professional help is available and discuss practical tips on managing the condition better and safer.

In support of the initiative, the charity highlighted one person’s experience:

“When Dee choked on a piece of apple last year, despite her many years working as a nurse, she had no idea this would be the first sign that she was actually experiencing a stroke.

“Returning home from hospital, everyday actions of eating and drinking became a constant source of fear and anxiety for her, as she feared eating the wrong thing could lead to a choking incident.

“Through her treatment for the stroke Dee received support from Speech & Language Therapy team from the Northern Trust and was given exercises to help her swallow and was advised to change the texture of her meals. This support helped her to regain her confidence and overtime she started to overcome some of her swallowing difficulties.

“Eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties can occur as a result of many health conditions trauma, cancer and brain related conditions or head and neck surgery. This can cause choking, malnutrition, dehydration and chest infections which can lead to multiple hospital admissions and in some cases can result in loss of life. The symptoms often go unreported and left undiagnosed.”

If you would like to receive a copy of the booklet or attend the training, contact MEAAP on 028 256 586 04.

Click here to read: Ageing well in the borough with the IMPACTAgewell Project

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