Thickening Liquids

Before my dad passed (not from dementia/alzheimers), they only allowed him to drink thick liquids (he liked a slightly liquidy mango puree) because he had trouble swallowing….and also thin liquids were going into his lungs.

I am sorry that you have to take this journey. My heart goes out to you.

@Rob's Daughter

I'm sorry you've reached this stage.

When swallowing difficulties arise, they often start with choking and sputtering on thing liquids which can get past the epiglottis before it reacts as part of the swallowing sequence. Thickener will slow down the movement of the liquid to allow the epiglottis to shut and presumably prevent aspiration. Unfortunately, thickening liquids, like pureeing foods, can be a QOL issue for some by removing something that had been a pleasure for them.

Unfortunately, thickeners do nothing to prevent aspiration of reflux or even the patient's own saliva.

Both my parents had aspiration and resulting pneumonia. Mom's (no dementia) was caused by reflux which is a side effect of a medication she no longer takes. Dad was in later stage dementia, his SLP noted that he wasn't swallowing the saliva that accumulated at the back of his throat and that was as likely the cause as any food or drink. We did put some practices in place to make feeding safer— sitting upright, no straws, and no mixed-textured fluids like soup or cereal. He did pass from complications of aspiration pneumonia. It was not an unpleasant passing.

This is a gifted article that discusses this practice. Paste the link into your browser.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/14/health/medical-practices-treatments-patients.html?unlocked_article_code=1.NE8.620f.zxQJPx2aqmzT&smid=url-share

HB