As you age, chewing and swallowing become increasingly more difficult as these muscles begin to deteriorate. Seniors can often have a hard time eating as they get older because the muscles in their mouth and throat lose their strength. They can also stop producing as much saliva to break down their food, causing issues as well. Choking can be a real hazard for seniors and knowing how to prevent them from choking is crucial in any setting that deals with elderly individuals. The Gables Assisted Living is committed to the health and welfare of all our senior residents with professional staff trained to keep our residents safe and taken care of.
Practice Safe Eating Habits
During mealtimes, seniors are more prone to choke than at other times of the day. It is important to practice safe eating habits during these times to avoid choking. Some tips to help ensure that meal times go safely for those who are getting older include:
- Giving adequate time to eat: Choking can be more likely to occur when food is being eaten hastily. Taking the time to effectively chew and swallow will help break down the food which will allow it to go down easier.
- Taking small bites: Smaller spoons and forks can be used during mealtimes to limit how much food goes into the mouth with each bite.
- Tucking your chin: Bending forward and tucking your chin when eating can help individuals swallow more effectively and avoid getting food in their airway.
These safe eating tips should be used during every mealtime to prevent the likelihood of choking from occurring. As these eating practices become habits, the likelihood of choking goes down and the quality of the entire eating experience goes up.
Focus on Intentional Eating
As it becomes more difficult to chew and swallow, it becomes more important to be intentional while eating to ensure that seniors are eating correctly. This helps to leave as little room as possible for choking incidents to happen. Intentional eating can look like focusing on eating safely by:
- Limiting distractions like television during mealtimes
- Making sure there is adequate lighting so the food can be seen while eating
- Not talking while eating to prevent food from entering the airways
- Alternating drinking liquids and eating food, taking small sips throughout your meal
Eating intentionally allows you to be more aware of what is going in your mouth and down your throat. For seniors that have more difficulty eating, intentionally eating – and having an environment conducive to that, makes the whole experience safer for their situation.
Do Not Eat Laying Down
Sitting up while eating will give the elderly the best chance of not choking. If an individual needs to stay in bed to eat, have them at least at a 45-degree angle and leave them sat up for a bit after they have finished to aid in digestion and further reduce the risk of choking. Avoid laying down directly after eating as well.
Be Aware of Choking Hazards
Preventing choking in elderly individuals can also come down to the types of food they are eating or foods that are prepared for them. Eating softer foods is a must for many seniors, as their teeth have become weak with age, but it is important to ensure that their food is bite-sized and not a choking hazard. Watch out for these choking hazards in foods a senior may be eating.
- Steak or big pieces of meat – be sure to cut really small if serving
- White bread – can expand if eaten with water and can block the airway
- Popcorn – hard kernels can be choked on easily
- Chicken with bones
- Hot dogs – if serving, remove the skin and slice thinly
- Hard candy
Avoiding these foods altogether can help reduce the risk of choking, but if they must be served to an elderly individual, be sure to prepare them accordingly for the utmost safety of the senior.
Choose The Gables Assisted Living
Our amazing senior living facility is designed with your elderly loved one in mind. Safety is our top priority and our kitchen and staff are well-equipped to keep your loved one as safe and secure as possible. Our residents are well-taken care of in all aspects of their lives, and the prevention of choking is one of them. Contact us today with any questions you might have about our procedures or our community and we will be happy to help you.
