Functional Swallowing Part 3: Hydration and Quality of Life
Presented by Tim Stockdale
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This course explores the critical interplay between dysphagia, hydration, and quality of life, focusing on the functional outcomes of swallowing disorders. Participants will examine the physiological importance of hydration, the types and symptoms of dehydration, and how dysphagia contributes to fluid imbalance through inefficiencies, negative feedback, and intervention-related challenges such as thickened liquids. The course also delves into the multifaceted impact of dysphagia on quality of life, using frameworks like the WHO International Classification of Functioning (ICF) to highlight broader implications of swallowing impairment. Designed for healthcare professionals who work with patients with dysphagia, this course further equips participants to manage dysphagia in light of broader health and quality-of-life considerations.
Learning Objectives
- Implement strategies to prevent dehydration in patients with dysphagia
- Evaluate the potential negative effects of certain dysphagia interventions on patient health and quality of life
- Analyze how dysphagia can lead to dehydration and related subsequent health risks
- Explain the importance of collaborating with patients for quality-of-life issues related to swallowing
- Determine approaches to improve patient well-being by addressing the social, cultural, and financial impact of dysphagia on quality of life
- Evaluate treatment options to prioritize overall health and quality-of-life outcomes using patient-specific factors
Meet your instructor
Tim Stockdale
Timothy (Tim) Stockdale has served as a speech-language pathologist primarily in university and acute care settings. He has taught at the graduate level for several years, focusing on adult dysphagia and acquired communication disorders. He is particularly passionate about addressing gaps in dysphagia education and practice.…
Chapters & learning objectives
1. Introduction to Dehydration
Chapter 1 introduces the physiological importance of hydration and its role in maintaining homeostasis, cognitive clarity, and overall health. It highlights the types, signs, and symptoms of dehydration and explores the adverse outcomes that can result from fluid imbalance. This chapter sets the foundation for understanding how dysphagia contributes to dehydration.
2. Dysphagia and Hydration
Chapter 2 examines how dysphagia impacts hydration through reduced fluid intake, swallowing inefficiencies, and negative feedback from aspiration or coughing. It discusses the challenges of thickened liquids and other interventions, emphasizing the importance of sparing modifications and multidisciplinary collaboration. Strategies to support hydration while minimizing negative outcomes are explored.
3. Dysphagia and Quality of Life
Chapter 3 explores the impact of dysphagia on quality of life, including the social, emotional, and cultural dimensions of eating and drinking. Using frameworks like the WHO International Classification of Functioning (ICF), it examines how dysphagia affects daily life, social participation, and patient goals. Practical strategies for balancing quality of life with clinical safety are presented.
