To Eat or Not to Eat: Managing Dysphagia at End of Life (FR435)

Abstract

•Understand how the anatomy and physiology of the swallow mechanism is impacted by compensatory swallow techniques.•Identify evidence-based considerations for patients choosing PO intake despite risk for aspiration pneumonia.•Understand the role of the speech-language pathologist in management of patients with dysphagia receiving palliative services across the lifespan. Dysphagia is a common diagnosis for many of our patients nearing end of life. Our goal within the session is to empower physicians along with other helping professionals to improve management of patients with swallow disorders receiving palliative services. We will help to develop a better understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the swallow mechanism to improve use of bedside compensatory swallow techniques as well as outline the patient populations that are appropriate for PO intake at end of life. As speech-language pathologists, we will outline our role to assist and develop an evidence-based toolkit with strategies to improve comfort with eating/drinking, reduce aspiration risk, and further prevent pulmonary disease.