Unit 2 - Ergonomics (e-book)
2.1 Mealtime environment
2.1.1 Characteristics of the place and process
It is important to stay in a safe mealtime environment. An uninviting environment can put people off their meals and result in inadequate nutrition and hydration, while a distracting environment can reduce focus on following the strategies for safe swallowing and lead to safety concerns. The following tips can help you create an appropriate mealtime environment. Because people with swallowing problems should also enjoy a safe and nutritious environment and food.
Reduce potential distractions:
Minimize the number of people walking around the meal area.
Turn off or turn down the volume on the TV, radio, mobile or tablet.
Avoid loud noises such as microwave or oven timers going off.
Create an inviting atmosphere:
Decorating the meal area with tablecloths.
Plants.
Pictures and curtains can create a warm atmosphere that can help facilitate enjoyment at mealtimes.
Meal time and food presentation:
The smell and appealing appearance of food can help to increase appetite
Do not use feeding syringes or straws during oral feeding.
Maximum duration of the shots between 40-45 minutes.
Maintain a comfortable posture.
Practical exercises to apply the theory.
Place: Room where meals are usually taken.
In this exercise you must observe the food room and identify the elements of it that are recommended and not recommended according to the previous section. Think about the changes that should be made to make it a suitable place for feeding people with dysphagia.
Figure 1. Infographic about mealtime environment (Source: designed by Canva Pro).
Infographics available for download on the training platform (https://indeed-project.org/).