DYSPHAGIA IN DEMENTIA: INTERVENTIONS TO REDUCE ASPIRATION PNEUMONIA

Abstract

This narrative review summarizes interventions used to reduce aspiration and aspiration pneumonia among older adults with dementia-related dysphagia, describes their reported effectiveness, and highlights gaps and limitations in the evidence base (Baijens et al., 2016; Wirth et al., 2016). Commonly reported approaches include diet and texture modification, feeding assistance and posture adjustments, swallowing rehabilitation, oral-care protocols, pharmacological agents, and stimulation therapies; multi-disciplinary and person-centered programs showed the most promise, but high-quality, long-term evidence remains scarce (Beck et al., 2018; O’Keeffe, 2018; Painter et al., 2017; Rofes et al., 2011). The review emphasizes the limited availability of speech and language therapy in many nursing-home settings and the need for interventions adapted to people with cognitive impairment and to low- and middle-income contexts (Levenson & Walker, 2019; Wirth et al., 2016).