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Mother should probably have a swallow test, and then the speech pathologist can give recommendations. These could include some exercises to strengthen mouth and throat muscles, advice about the mechanics of eating, and changes to the consistency of food and liquids.
The starting point is to discuss this with Mom's doctor and to have the swallowing test done.
Is your mom's neurologist a movement disorders neurologist? If not, you might want to think about finding one and possibly changing neurologists. You need a neurologist that specializes in Parkinson's and movement disorders. Keeping the chin down is a suggestion my husband uses as he needs to keep his head facing forward. Swallowing is harder for him if he turns his head. Great suggestions in the other answers to your question. If your mom is on Medicare check to see if it will cover a speech therapist. I crush my husband's pills in applesauce and that works for him. Look into nutritional supplements for your mom such as ensure. Look for a Parkinson's support group in your area. There will be lots of suggestions and ideas from members. Do call visiting nurses. If the neurologist does not support this idea, call you mom's primary Dr for the referral if you need one for visiting nurses. Will the insurance co pay for the other swallowing test if your mom's primary writes a referral to that hospital? We have a HMO and Tom's primary Dr does an yearly referral so we can see a movement disorders specialist that is outside of the HMO. We had to justify why Tom needs a movement disorder neurologist instead of a neurologist. Trying to get the needed services and dealing with insurance is frustrating. Don't give up, you mom needs only the best care.
My husband has had the swallowing test and we are now waiting for the speech therapist to come. Do have your mom take a swallowing test. The speech therapist can also help with foods to avoid.
Do you think she would do better with liquids? You might try a blender just to get some nutrition into her for the night. And you can talk to her doctor tomorrow about what other options you have for the swallow test as far as the insurance. Does her doctor know you are having to give her the heimlich maneuver once a week?
Ask the therapist if she can recommend any ways to avoid or minimize problems. Some of the things my husband was told: Sit up straight, in a hard chair (not the recliner) Chew very well, swallow, and swallow again before putting more food in the mouth. Tilt the chin down toward the chest (this one works for me if I get a pill caught in my throat.) These suggestions were based on my husband's test. Ask the therapist for suggestions for your mother.
Also ask if a different consistency of food would work better. Would it help to thicken her beverages (there is a product made for that purpose)? Might she do better with her food pureed? Would crushing her pills and adding them to applesauce be easier?
I hope you can come up with some improvements for your poor mother. Being afraid to eat would be very distressing!
Another suggestion is to consider adult day care for your mom so that someone is always with her when she eats. There is a day care for individuals near our new apt for individuals with Parkinson's. There is no charge and it is run by the state affiliate of The National Association for Parkinson's. Take care of yourself.
mom had the swallow test her neurologist said it was fine the lady taking test said no it was not fine and she said need another from a different hospital that had a better test but moms insurance cant go there. I give her hymlic once a week or she throws up everyday mostly pills stuck in throat therefor her Parkinson symptoms are worse. she only eats now to take pills and is afraid to eat at all she says shes came so close to choking to death. she is losing weight fast and I cant be around every time she drinks or eats.i am only child and have to work. I don't no what to do.
I cut my mom's food up in small pieces, serve mostly soft foods that are easy to swallow, and listen for choking alot. She loves Ensure type products. There is also a free program at a local hospital for PD patients, I believe it's called "Speak Loud". It is designed to help speech and swallowing. Look into these programs.
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
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APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
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If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
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This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
The starting point is to discuss this with Mom's doctor and to have the swallowing test done.
Sit up straight, in a hard chair (not the recliner)
Chew very well, swallow, and swallow again before putting more food in the mouth.
Tilt the chin down toward the chest (this one works for me if I get a pill caught in my throat.)
These suggestions were based on my husband's test. Ask the therapist for suggestions for your mother.
Also ask if a different consistency of food would work better.
Would it help to thicken her beverages (there is a product made for that purpose)?
Might she do better with her food pureed?
Would crushing her pills and adding them to applesauce be easier?
I hope you can come up with some improvements for your poor mother. Being afraid to eat would be very distressing!
http://www.parkinson.org/About-Us/Press-Room/NPF-In-The-News/2013/January/Difficulty-swallowing-can-be-fatal-for-people-with
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