Swallowing Difficulties and Choking

As a health care worker providing care or services to older people living in residential or home care you are required to practice in accordance with the requirements of the Aged Care Quality Standards. This learning resource will also have relevance in all of other health care settings providing care or services to older people. Aged Care Learning Solutions educational material is endorsed by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation.

Learning Outcomes:

• State the incidence of choking and swallowing problems in older people
• List the common causes of swallowing problems in older people
• Describe the signs and symptoms of swallowing problems in older people
• Explain the strategies for the management of swallowing difficulties
• List the signs and symptoms of aspiration pneumonia
• State the common causes of choking in older people 
• Describe of the signs and symptoms of choking in older people 
• Explain why older people are more susceptible to choking
• State what to do in a choking emergency
• List strategies to minimise choking