Dysphagia

Are you part of the Nursing or Catering team whose scope of practice is to administer nutritional diet and fluids to residents in their care?

This course provides the fundamentals in managing dysphagia in Aged Care.

It is expected that all nursing staff have a baseline knowledge of managing dysphagia and continue to update their knowledge and maintain competency in skills needed to perform their role.

This competency assessment will be undertaken by yourself without the aid of others or cheat sheets in accordance with APRHA Professional code of conduct for Nurses. It is expected that you will achieve 100% in this course to perform your role within your organisation.

• Describe the steps in swallowing.
• Identify signs of dysphagia.
• Recognise and take appropriate action for aspiration and choking.
• Demonstrate how to thicken fluids.
• Describe different diet consistencies.
• Describe strategies to assist residents and clients with their meals and drinks.

This workshop provides participants with the skills and knowledge of choking episodes, what to do if one occurs and the procedures for:

• Understanding the basic anatomy and physiology of the airway and upper gastrointestinal system.
• Outlining the biomechanics of health swallowing, understanding the method, process, and structure.
• Discussing signs and symptoms of dysphagia. 
• Identifying the causes and conditions related to dysphagia.
• Assessing common complications of dysphagia and when to refer for clinical assessment.
• Recognising and taking appropriate action for aspiration and choking. 
• Examining treatment and lifestyle modifications to reduce risk of complications.
• Understanding the principles of a texture-modified and altered fluid-consistency diet.
• Following a generic client health care plan

Monthly (Thursdays)

2 hours (1 hour of online theory & assessment and 1 hour of practical)

2.00 pm to 3.00 pm

Course Fee: $ 75