ASHA Learning Pass

The prevalence of dementia is on the rise, and dysphagia management across the continuum of care and throughout disease progression in this population is challenging. This webinar focuses on identification and management of dysphagia in people with dementia, with discussion of current research on dysphagia assessment, intervention, and caregiver burden. The webinar presents preferred practices for maximizing quality of life for this patient population.

Learning Outcomes
You will be able to:

• Describe one method of screening for dementia and one method of screening for dysphagia in people with dementia 
• Identify considerations for assessing dysphagia in people with dementia 
• Identify two practical strategies for managing dysphagia in people with dementia

Contents

• Background (normal swallowing, aging swallow, presbyphagia) 
• Cognitive tests and screening for dementia
• Screening for dysphagia (bedside assessment, instrumental assessment)
• Physiological changes in people with dementia
• Environmental modifications
• Active dysphagia interventions for people with dementia
• Health-related quality of life and caregiver burden
• Q & A

Presenter Information

Ashwini Namasivayam-MacDonald, PhD, CCC-SLP, SLP(C), is a speech-language pathologist and Assistant Professor at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Her overarching research goal is to develop a more comprehensive and collaborative approach to dysphagia management that unites the biomedical and psychosocial aspects of care to improve health and quality of life within the individual and across the family system. She was the 2020 recipient of ASHA's Early Career Contributions in Research Award.

Financial Disclosures:

• Financial compensation from ASHA for this presentation
• Salary from McMaster University

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• None

Assessment Type

Self-assessment—Think about what you learned and report on the Completion Form how you will use your new knowledge.

To earn continuing education credit, you must complete and submit the learning assessment by October 6, 2027.

Program History and CE Information

Live webinar date: October 4, 2022
End date: October 6, 2027

This course is offered for 0.2 ASHA CEUs (Intermediate level, Professional area).