Self-perception and clinical presentation of eating and swallowing difficulties within elderly care

The growing ageing population requires effective management of complex medical diagnoses and healthy ageing support within residential care facilities. However, limited access to guidelines on monitoring residents' eating and swallowing abilities has been reported. Recent research is critical for future policy development.

This study aimed to compare self-perceived and clinical presentation of eating and swallowing abilities among a portion of elderly residents to enhance management of the residential care population within the South African context.

This comparative, within-subject research study assessed 44 participants using an oropharyngeal dysphagia protocol including a medical history review, the Eating Assessment Tool - 10 (EAT-10), the Mann Assessment of Swallowing Abilities (MASA), and the three-ounce water test of the Yale Swallow Protocol (YSP). A brief cognitive screener was used when cognitive impairment was unknown.

Of the participants, 21 out of 44 (48%) self-reported concerns for oropharyngeal dysphagia. Evidence of compensatory eating behaviours, without therapeutic intervention, was found. A negative, low correlation was present between the EAT-10 and the MASA (r = -0.306, p  0.05) scores.

Individuals who self-reported eating and swallowing difficulties demonstrated fewer clinical symptoms, potentially due to compensatory techniques. The disparity between patient-reported outcome measures and clinical assessment tools highlights the need for robust screening and assessment policies within this context.Contribution: This study highlights the importance of holistic assessment practices by integrating self-perception with clinical findings to address oropharyngeal dysphagia incidence within this complex population.