gobbling food

AlzWife2023

HI Friends, We have beautiful weather today in New England. I hope you do, too, wherever you are!

My DH has been gobbling his food. I'm assuming this is an executive functioning issue.

(He's also not wearing his partial dentures because after paying off (over a year) $4,000 to replace the ones the puppy destroyed; the dog got them again on the one night/morning I took off from walking the dog. I always check the bedside table & place DH's dentures in bathroom, after cleaning, etc. This particular day, my daughter spent the night and the routine was not followed and viola!—doggie chomped them)

Anyway, he's got Medicaid now and I think they will pay for new dentures. Just another series of appointmenmts to set up!

Back to the point: any thoughts about this gobbling issue? Saying anything just makes him mad (of course) so I am thinking of moving to finger foods. He takes big bites and doesnt chew well. I see it as a functional issue that he is not aware of. I am worried about choking, obviously.

Thanks in advance.

M1

I think the finger food with precut bites is probably a good idea. My partner’s MC does a good job with their lunches. There’s usually a cup of soup to start, and then a choice of two entrees, one of which is always a finger food like chicken nuggets, a sandwich with chips or fries, or a vegetable like fried squash or mushrooms that can be picked up individually. I bet if you google dementia friendly finger foods you’ll find suggestions.

eaglemom

If pre-cutting into bite size won't cause an issue, do it. Something to be aware of when he is gobbling his food is an aspiration. My DH has done that - we don't want to do it again. He did some speech therapy to help him strengthen his throat muscles and he has slowed down his eating. Also I put a piece of paper on the table that says Small bites, take a drink, clear your throat. Its in bold letters, not my writing, so he pays attention to it. Just make certain he is drinking water what he's eating.

eagle

AlzWife2023

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/205935#Comment_205935

thanks for the tips. He’s definitely not aware that he is eating in a dangerous way. He’ll start talking a mile a minute with a mouthful of food, something he never used to do.

harshedbuzz

@AlzWife2023

I would ask about getting a consult with an SLP for a feeding evaluation.

They can identify ways in which you can mostly safely feed your DH.

FWIW, the advice we were given is a 180 from what @eaglemom does. Dad's SLP felt that his epiglottis was too sluggish in protecting his airway to handle solids and liquids at the same time. She explained that a thin liquid like water might wash solid foods to the back of his throat too quickly. She also said to avoid mixed textures like cereal and milk or non-pureed soups as a precaution. She also cautioned against straws for thin liquids and sports bottles.

HB

eaglemom

I wasn't totally clear in what I meant. DH is to eat a solid, totally swallow it completely then take a sip of water. Just after an aspiration, when we were still using thickener that did seem to force his food down. After speech therapy for many months we slowly stopped the thickener, but its one thing at a time in his mouth, You are correct, if per chance he wants cereal, its minimal milk.

Thanks for helping me to clarify that HB.

eagle

harshedbuzz

@eaglemom

Thanks for clarifying that. It makes sense now.

HB

Iris L.

PWDs may need to avoid meat, or have it cooked until it is very tender. Meat is hard to chew and is a choking hazard.

Iris

AlzWife2023

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/206244#Comment_206244

Hi @Iris L. I am noticing that. I sliced his steak paper thin with the chef knife before serving it the other night. I’m getting savy!