Question

Mr luck will chew his food but frequently does not swallow it. It is very important to perform a good initial screening of patients with dementia. One of the most common reasons that dementia patients may not swallow their food is?

1) Difficulty in swallowing
2) Lack of appetite
3) Tooth decay
4) Dry mouth

Answer 1

Difficulty in swallowing is a common reason why dementia patients may not swallow food. This is part of the broader challenges that come with aging where both dental health and muscle function decline, impacting the ability to chew and swallow effectively.

Step-by-step explanation:

One of the most common reasons dementia patients may not swallow their food is difficulty in swallowing, medically referred to as dysphagia. As people age, changes in the digestive system, including the muscles involved in deglutition (the act of swallowing), can result in swallowing becoming more cumbersome. This challenge is often exacerbated in individuals with dementia.

Healthy mouth conditions are closely tied to overall health. Issues such as tooth decay and dry mouth can lead to avoidance of certain foods, malnutrition, and exacerbation of existing health conditions, particularly in the elderly or those with serious illnesses. Therefore, maintaining good oral hygiene is critical in the elderly to prevent complications like difficulty in swallowing or malnutrition.