As you know, every dysphagia patient must have their swallowing difficulty assessed by a Speech and Language Therapist/Pathologist. However, making thickened drinks that flo slo enough to match all the IDDSI Levels 1, 2 and 3 takes time. To complicate matters, water is preferred for assessment but some patients just don’t like the look of thickener...

“Geriatric Giants: A term coined by geriatrician Bernard Isaacs, and the expression refers to the principal chronic disabilities of old age that impact on the physical, mental and social domains of older adults”. Dysphagia is a big issue. Estimates suggest there are currently over 590,000,000 around the world suffering with it. As a result, David...

We were recently made aware of this course and want to share it with you.   Having discussed it with Barbara – the Principal Pathologist – we are sure it will be useful to you or those you work with as it covers lots of issues faced by Care Staff.  Consequently, we asked Barbara to provide a summary for you before you visit: safeswallowing.com.au  “The...

Now, for the first time, dysphagia patients needing nutritional support and prescribed drinks at IDDSI Levels 1, 2, 3 or 4 can maintain their calorie and nutrition intake safely with our unique range of pre-thickened powdered oral nutritional supplements. Our Slõ Milkshakes+ are now available at IDDSI Levels 1 & 4 flow rates. These high-protein,...

In the April edition of NHD magazine we read an article written by Bogna Nicinska – a specialist Diabetes Dietitian. It discusses dysphagia in patients with gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) disease. It contains some useful insights and ideas, consequently we wanted to make you aware of it – just in case you missed it. To read the full article click...

The European Society for Swallowing Disorders created a webinar about how to help those with Dysphagia and COVID-19. Up to 980 delegates attended the 35th ESSD Livestream Webinar on Oropharyngeal Dysphagia in COVID-19 patients. Clinical experiences were shared, along with  perspectives from all over Europe. Check the presentation, explore the websites...

We recently read an article written by Veronica Giudice – a Specialist Dietitian; about making sure dysphagia recommendations are clearly communicated across the patient team. As we are sure it will prove useful we asked her to let us share it with you… Introduction Dysphagia is defined by any difficulties experienced with positioning, controlling...

It’s always good to see Slõ products having a positive impact abroad and one such case is in the European Center of Neurosciences in Spain. In their blog (which can be found here), they present the effects and difficulties of neurological damage, including dysphagia.  Dysphagia has a prevalence of between 25-78% of hospitalised patients with...

The International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative (IDDSI – for short) was implemented in January 2019. It was created to provide standard terms for the flow rate of thickened drinks and consistency of texture modified foods. This in turn should reduce the risks of patients being given a drink or a meal that would induce aspiration. It...

This article is a summary of research into the Compound Pharmacy market. It is thought provoking to read, as it investigates how medication is being provided and will be in the future – unless we can change it! The traditional role of compounding pharmacies is to make drugs prescribed by doctors that are specially tailored to patients that can’t...

Diane Wolff is the author of many great puree recipes for those with dysphagia books. Like us here at Slõ Drinks she looks at how to normalise the everyday and make life a little easier for those with dysphagia. Diane has recently produced another book: The Purees of Summer: Safe Grilling for the Cookout, which is part of The Seasons of Puree...

During December we received lots of calls from Pharmacists and two doctors about the IDDSI Terms. They had information about flow rates 1, 2 and 3, knew a little about IDDSI – but were unsure what they should using. We have therefore passed them the Translator (shown below) which you may also want to print off and pass on. The PDF is available...

Internationally, the IDDSI has been formally adopted by the RCSLT and the BDA. Implementing it is going to be a huge task and so we are now preparing to do all we can to support a smooth transition. As a start our website shop now includes the new numbering system on every product www.slodrinks.com/shop. We have also created this consistency translator containing...

We read this article in CN Focus about a clinician having a Dysphagia Diet for a week. It provides a useful insight into the issues faced by those with dysphagia and their carers and as a result wanted to share it. To summarize…. Dysphagia following stroke affects a significant proportion of patients, with figures ranging between 37-78%....

The ESSD is hosting a free webinar on Monday the 20th of March. A history on taking in Swallowing Disorders. If you haven’t attended one of their webinars before we suggest trying them. They are always interesting and informative. Click on this link to register. www.essd2017.com In the meantime the 7th ESSD Congress is happening in October in Barcelona....

The Dysphagia Kitchen: Calling all Caregivers! Essential Puree is proud to announce our new Speedy Series. Some caregivers cannot cook, they don’t have time, they don’t know how. Some are in the sandwich generation, dealing with children and with aging parents. The Speedy Series: Pureed Meals that can be ready in 15 minutes The first eBook I this...

The Yorkshire BDA Branch here in the UK are holding the above event in March. We wanted to tell you about it to encourage you to take part in Social Media. Historically, the NHS actively discouraged Clinicians to joining Communities due to the problems it could cause. And rightly so. However, there are now lots of books and resources; including...

The European Society of Swallowing Disorders (ESSD) is an association of and for health care providers working, doing research and studying in the field of dysphagia and swallowing disorders. It also runs each year one of the best International Dysphagia Conferences which we strongly recommend you try to visit. It’s latest White Paper is essential...

Laura is a Dysphagia specialist based in America. Her Company provides support and training in all aspects of dysphagia to private individuals and Organizations and has lots of useful resources available on her site here. We sent Laura some of our new Slõ Milkshakes+ to try and she videoed what she thought and you can see it here…

Down the Hatch is an unscripted podcast focused on hot topics relevant to swallowing clinicians throughout the world. With lively banter, speech pathologists Ianessa Humbert, Ph.D., CCC-SLP and Alicia Vose, M.A., CCC-SLP (Ph.D. student) take on controversial topics in the field of dysphagia management, while inter-weaving various levels of evidence:...