MODULE 1: METHODOLOGY AND TOOLS DEVELOPMENT FOR ADULT EDUCATORS

Signs detection is an essential part of the treatment of dysphagia people. When dysphagia is underestimated, unrecognized (so-called silent dysphagia) or left untreated, they may lead to previous risks mentioned. For this reason, training elderly or most vulnerable people in dysphagia and other swallowing complications is essential to carry out a correct treatment.

Training to detect dysphagia signs, you should follow next steps:

• Keep a close eye on: Control your state of health: weight variations, fatigue, food rejection, swallowing difficulty and other problems. They may indicate a health problem.

• Get informed: request information from the health professionals of your health center or disability association.

• Detect: Identify the usual signs of dysphagia and how often they appear.

• Act: Inform the reference health professional. Follow the specialist's instructions regarding posture, diet and other relevant habits.

The evaluation of dysphagia requires the collection of detailed information by doctors and speech therapists. This information should be provided by the patient or their family/caregiver. Evaluation makes it possible to define the cause of dysphagia in 80-85% of the cases.

The main objective of the diagnostic program is to evaluate two characteristics:

Safety

It refers to the ability to transfer the bolus from the mouth to the stomach without penetration or aspiration into the lower airways.

Efficacy

It refers to the ability to transfer the bolus from the mouth to the stomach without post-swallow pharyngeal residue.