Why Do Dementia Patients Forget to Swallow When Eating

You might feel worried if a dementia patient forgetting to swallow while eating occurs. Many families feel confused or scared when this happens.

Swallowing problems can make eating unsafe or uncomfortable, so learning more about a dementia patient forgetting to swallow is helpful.

• Studies show that swallowing problems in dementia can happen in 2.4% to 100% of cases.
• Changing meals and watching for changes can help give better care.

Not understanding early swallowing problems, such as a dementia patient forgetting to swallow, can make people miss warning signs and provide less helpful care.

You will find easy tips and advice to help you care for your loved one.

Key Takeaways

• Swallowing problems in dementia can happen in many patients. It is important to know about these problems. Dementia changes how the brain works. This makes swallowing hard.
• Food can stay in the mouth because of this. Some signs of trouble swallowing are coughing and choking. A wet-sounding voice after eating is also a sign.
• Eating in a quiet place helps people with dementia. It helps them pay attention to eating. It also lowers the chance of choking. Soft and moist foods are safer for swallowing problems.
• Do not give hard, dry, or sticky foods. Caregivers should look for early signs of swallowing trouble. This helps them get help quickly. Getting help from experts like speech-language therapists is good. They can teach ways to make swallowing safer.
• Caregivers also need emotional support. They should ask for help and join support groups to handle stress.

Dementia Patient Forgetting to Swallow

Why Swallowing Is Forgotten

You might wonder why someone with dementia forgets to swallow. Swallowing is a hard action that the brain controls. Most people do not think about it. Dementia changes the brain and makes this harder.

The brain parts that help with eating and swallowing do not work well. This can make a person forget to swallow, even with food in their mouth.

Here are some main reasons this happens:

• Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias hurt the brain. This causes people to forget how to do things like swallowing.
• Actions like chewing and swallowing do not work together. You might see someone hold food in their mouth. This is called “pocketing.”
• The person may forget the steps for eating. They might not chew or swallow in the right order.
• Changes in taste and smell can make food seem strange. This can make the person feel worried or not want to eat.
• Sometimes, the person does not know what the food is. This makes swallowing less likely.

Swallowing problems are common in dementia. Studies show that between 32.7% and 86.6% of people with dementia have trouble swallowing. As dementia gets worse, forgetting to swallow happens more often.

Changes in the brain are a big reason. The brain parts that control swallowing do not work right. This causes problems with moving the tongue, lips, and jaw. The person may not know food is in their mouth. This slows down swallowing and makes it harder.

Common Misunderstandings

Many people do not understand swallowing problems in dementia. Some think forgetting to swallow is just normal aging. Normal aging can slow swallowing, but dementia causes bigger problems.

For example, food or drink may stay in the mouth or throat. This does not usually happen with normal aging.

Here are some common misconceptions:

• Caregivers may not notice early signs, like throat clearing or a wet voice.
• Some people think dementia patients cannot learn new things. But with reminders and practice, they can get better at swallowing.
• Feeding too fast can make things worse. You might want to hurry, but this can cause choking or force-feeding, which is not safe.

You can use the table below to see the difference between normal aging and swallowing problems from dementia:

Look for signs like food staying in the mouth, coughing, or a wet voice. These can mean someone with dementia needs more help with swallowing.

You can help by learning the signs and knowing that swallowing problems in dementia are not just from getting older. This helps you keep your loved one safe and comfortable at meals.

Brain Changes and Swallowing

To know why swallowing is hard in dementia, you need to learn about brain changes. Dementia harms the brain areas that help with eating and swallowing. These changes can make eating less safe for your loved one.

Impact on Swallowing Muscles

The brain tells the mouth and throat muscles how to chew and swallow. In dementia, these messages can get mixed up or not arrive. This makes it tough for muscles to work together. You might see your loved one struggle to move food or start to swallow.

Here is a table that shows how dementia changes swallowing:

A dementia patient may forget to swallow because the brain cannot guide the muscles. This can cause food to stay in the mouth or cause choking.

Look for signs like food stuck in the mouth, coughing, or a wet voice. These signs mean swallowing muscles are not working well.

Disrupted Brain Signals

Swallowing needs more than just muscles. The brain must send signals at the right time. Dementia can mess up these signals and make swallowing unsafe.

• Swallowing uses both actions you control and actions you do not. The central nervous system helps with these steps.
• Changes in thinking from dementia can hurt swallowing. As dementia gets worse, swallowing problems happen more often.
• Many people with dementia cannot tell what food is or forget how to eat. This can cause apraxia, where the person cannot do the steps to swallow.

Brainstem Role

The brainstem is like a control center for swallowing. It helps with the reflexes that move food and drink from your mouth to your stomach. If dementia hurts the brainstem, these reflexes can slow down or stop. This makes swallowing much harder and less safe.

Motor Control Loss

You might see your loved one have trouble with simple eating actions. Dementia can cause loss of motor control, so muscles do not work right.

This can cause:

• Weak tongue and throat muscles
• Trouble starting a swallow
• Food or drink going the wrong way

Studies show swallowing problems in dementia are linked more to thinking problems than just weak muscles. This means the brain’s planning and control are as important as muscle strength.

You can help by learning about these brain changes. When you know what is happening, you can better help your loved one stay safe at meals.

Swallowing Changes in Dementia

Loss of Coordination

You might see your loved one have trouble eating or drinking. Dementia can make it hard for muscles to work together. This can make eating feel scary or confusing.

The brain cannot always tell the mouth and throat what to do. Swallowing then becomes hard. You may notice these things:

• Food or drink goes the wrong way. This can cause chest infections or pneumonia.
• Your loved one might spit out food or keep it in their mouth for a long time.
• Sometimes, they do not swallow and need reminders.
• Food can stay in the mouth, which can cause infection.

You can help by looking for these signs and giving support at meals. Simple reminders and slow, calm meals can help make swallowing safer.

Reduced Swallow Reflex

The swallow reflex moves food from the mouth to the throat and then to the stomach. In dementia, this reflex can get weak or slow. You may see your loved one cough or clear their throat when eating.

Some people hold food in their mouth or chew for a long time. These changes can make eating tiring and less fun.

Here is a table with signs of a weak swallow reflex:

You might also see:

• Coughing or choking during meals
• Chewing or swallowing takes a long time
• Not wanting to eat or drink
• Wet or gurgly voice after eating
• Drooling or food kept in the mouth
• Signs of dehydration or malnutrition, like dry mouth or tiredness

If you see these things, your loved one may need more help or a new way to eat.

Altered Hunger Cues

Dementia can change how a person feels hunger or thirst. Your loved one may forget to eat or drink. They may not know when they are hungry. Sometimes, they eat too much or too little. This confusion can make swallowing harder.

You might notice:

• Your loved one keeps food in their mouth or cannot make a bite to swallow.
• Swallowing starts late or does not happen, which can cause choking.
• Missed meals or eating too much can happen because hunger signals are not clear.
• It gets harder to talk, so your loved one may not say when they are hungry or thirsty.

Dysphagia, or trouble swallowing, is common in people with dementia, especially in later stages. This can raise the risk of aspiration pneumonia, which is very serious. If you watch for these changes, you can help keep your loved one safe.

If a dementia patient forgets to swallow, try gentle reminders and keep meals calm. This can help them feel better and lower risks.

Risks of Swallowing Problems

Choking and Aspiration

Swallowing problems in dementia can be dangerous. Your loved one might cough or choke while eating. This happens when food or drink blocks the airway.

Sometimes, food goes into the lungs instead of the stomach. This can cause a lung infection called aspiration pneumonia. Sometimes, the vocal cords spasm and make breathing hard. If an infection starts, a lung abscess can form. This is a pocket of pus in the lungs.

Watch for coughing, choking, or trouble breathing at meals. These signs mean you should help your loved one quickly.

Malnutrition and Dehydration

When swallowing is hard, eating and drinking is tough. Your loved one may lose weight or seem weak. Dr. Hutchings says most dementia patients with swallowing problems get malnutrition.

Loud sounds or distractions can make eating harder. If swallowing is hard, your loved one may not drink enough water. This causes dehydration, which can make them tired or confused. It can also cause worse health problems.

Research shows swallowing problems and dehydration are closely linked. Older adults with swallowing trouble often have worse health. High dehydration can lead to disability or death. You can help by giving small sips of water often. Soft foods are easier to swallow.

If you see dry mouth, sunken eyes, or sudden weight loss, your loved one may need more help with eating and drinking.

Emotional Effects

Swallowing problems affect feelings too. Both you and your loved one may feel upset. Many people with dementia feel sad or embarrassed when they cannot eat like before. You may feel worried or alone when helping at meals. Stress from these changes can make family life harder.

• Swallowing problems often cause emotional pain for dementia patients and caregivers.
• You may feel more stress and worry at mealtimes.
• Many caregivers feel alone because they cannot share meals the same way.
• Making special foods and watching for problems can feel like too much work.

You are not alone. Many families have these problems. Support groups and professional help can help you feel better.

Recognizing Swallowing Issues

Warning Signs

You can spot swallowing problems early by watching for certain signs during meals. These signs often show up before bigger problems start. If you notice them, you can take action to keep your loved one safe.

• Frequent coughing, choking, or throat clearing during or right after meals.
• A wet or gurgly-sounding voice after eating or drinking.
• Holding food in the cheeks or mouth, also called pocketing.
• Taking longer than 30 minutes to finish a meal.
• Watery eyes or a runny nose when swallowing.

You might see your loved one cough or clear their throat often. Sometimes, their voice sounds wet or gurgly after they eat or drink. Food may stay in their mouth, or they may take a long time to finish eating.

Watery eyes or a runny nose can also happen when swallowing is hard. These signs mean your loved one may need more help at mealtimes.

If you see any of these signs, try to stay calm. Slow down the meal and offer small bites or sips. This can help lower the risk of choking.

Observing Eating Habits

Watching how your loved one eats gives you important clues about swallowing problems. Many people with dementia cannot tell you when something feels wrong. You need to look for changes in their eating habits.

1. Older adults with dementia often have trouble eating and feeding themselves.
2. These problems can lead to eating less food or drinking less water.
3. Memory and thinking problems may stop your loved one from asking for help, so your careful observation is key.

You might notice your loved one leaves food on their plate or drinks less than before. They may seem tired or lose interest in meals. Sometimes, they forget how to use a fork or spoon. These changes can mean swallowing is getting harder.

All groups of dementia patients can have swallowing problems. This means you should always watch for changes, no matter the type of dementia.

You can also look for specific signs, like trouble rinsing the mouth. Studies show that poor rinsing ability has a strong link to swallowing problems.

The table below shows how important this sign can be:

If your loved one cannot rinse their mouth well, they have a much higher chance of swallowing trouble. This makes it even more important to watch how they eat and drink.

Careful observation helps you catch problems early. You can then talk to a doctor or speech therapist for more help.

By knowing the warning signs and watching eating habits, you can help keep your loved one safe and healthy at mealtimes.

Helping Dementia Patients Swallow

Safe Mealtime Tips

You can help your loved one eat safely by following some easy steps. Make the room quiet and calm before meals. Turn off the TV and keep loud sounds away. This helps your loved one pay attention to eating and swallowing.

Try to have meals at the same time and place every day. This makes eating feel normal and safe. Always help your loved one sit up straight in a strong chair. Sitting upright helps them swallow and lowers the chance of choking. Watch your loved one while they eat.

Look for food left in their mouth or cheeks. Give small, soft bites and remind them to eat slowly. Use spill-proof cups to help them drink without spills.

Here is a table with more tips for safe mealtimes:

Stay with your loved one during meals. This helps you see problems fast and keeps them safe.

Encouraging Swallowing

You can help your loved one swallow better by making some changes at meals. Take away things that distract them and keep the table quiet. This helps them focus on eating. Give only one or two food choices at a time. Too many choices can make them confused or upset.

Make sure your loved one sits up straight and feels okay. Good posture helps with swallowing. Check for mouth pain or dental problems, as these can make eating hard. Try eating together.

Your loved one may copy you and feel more at ease. Give gentle reminders to chew and swallow. Use soft foods and add herbs for better taste.

• Make the room calm by turning off noise during meals.
• Give one food at a time and only two choices.
• Help your loved one sit up and check their mouth for pain.
• Eat together and give gentle reminders.
• Use soft foods and add herbs for flavor.

A calm and caring mealtime helps your loved one feel safe and can make swallowing easier.

Food Choices

Picking the right foods can make swallowing much easier. A dysphagia diet is good for many people with dementia. This diet uses soft foods that do not need much chewing. Soft foods help your loved one get the food they need and lower the risk of choking.

Here is a table with safe and unsafe food options:

You can also try:

• Smoothies made with blended fruits
• Vegetables cooked until soft and diced small
• Hot cereals like oatmeal or oat bran
• Soft, moist bread foods like biscuits or muffins

Stay away from foods that are hard, crunchy, chewy, dry, sticky, or have skin or bones. These foods can make swallowing hard and raise the risk of choking.

Always check if foods are soft and moist before serving. These foods are usually safest for your loved one.

When to Get Professional Help

You play a key role in keeping your loved one safe during meals. Sometimes, you need more support than you can give at home. Swallowing problems in dementia can get worse over time. You should know when to reach out for professional help.

Watch for these signs that mean you need to contact a healthcare provider:

• Your loved one coughs or chokes often during meals.
• You notice a wet or gurgly voice after eating or drinking.
• Food or drink stays in the mouth or cheeks.
• Eating takes much longer than before.
• Your loved one loses weight or seems dehydrated.
• They get frequent chest infections or pneumonia.
• You see signs of distress, fear, or refusal to eat.

These signs can be subtle. People with dementia may not tell you when swallowing feels hard. You need to watch closely and act early. If you see any of these problems, call your doctor or a speech-language pathologist.

A professional can do a swallowing study to find out what is wrong. This helps you get the right care and lowers the risk of choking or lung infections.

Early help can prevent serious problems. Do not wait for an emergency.

Professionals offer many resources to help manage swallowing problems. You can work with a team to find the best plan for your loved one.

The table below shows some options:

You may also see different strategies for mild and severe swallowing problems:

Speech-language pathologists can teach you feeding techniques and mouth care. These steps lower the risk of food going into the lungs. They may suggest:

• Changing food textures to make swallowing easier.
• Helping your loved one sit up straight during meals.
• Training you on safe feeding and mouth cleaning.

You do not have to handle swallowing problems alone. Professionals can guide you and help keep your loved one safe and comfortable.

Dementia changes the brain and makes swallowing hard to remember. If you notice problems early, you can help keep your loved one safe. Almost half of people with dementia in nursing homes have trouble chewing or swallowing.

Jenan Mohammad Jiménez says, “Eating and swallowing can be hard, stressful, or lonely, but they can also bring happiness and togetherness.”

• Look for signs that swallowing is hard.
• Get help from doctors or nurses.
• Make mealtimes quiet and safe.
  You are not alone. Working together helps you and your loved one stay safe and close.

FAQ

What causes dementia patients to forget to swallow?

You see this happen because dementia changes the brain. The brain cannot send clear signals to the muscles that help with swallowing. This makes it easy to forget the steps needed to eat and swallow safely.

How can I tell if my loved one is having trouble swallowing?

You might notice coughing, choking, or food staying in the mouth. Watch for a wet-sounding voice or long mealtimes. These signs show swallowing problems.

What foods are safest for someone with swallowing problems?

Soft, moist foods work best. Try mashed potatoes, applesauce, or yogurt. Avoid dry, hard, or sticky foods. These can cause choking.

Can swallowing problems get better with practice?

You can help by giving gentle reminders and practicing safe eating habits. Some people improve with support, but dementia often makes swallowing harder over time.

When should I call a doctor about swallowing issues?

Call a doctor if you see frequent coughing, choking, weight loss, or signs of dehydration. Early help keeps your loved one safer.

Are there special tools to help with swallowing?

Yes! You can use spill-proof cups, special spoons, and plates with high edges. These tools make eating and drinking easier.

Can dehydration happen because of swallowing problems?

Yes. Swallowing trouble can make drinking hard. Watch for dry mouth, dark urine, or tiredness. Offer small sips of water often.

What professionals can help with swallowing problems?

A speech-language pathologist can check swallowing and teach safe eating tips. Doctors and nurses also help you manage these issues.