23/07/2026
🌷Recap From Our Last Meeting 🌷
A huge thank you to our wonderful Guest Speaker, Ms. Belinda Boye, for her invaluable presentation on "Swallowing Difficulties and Safe Feeding in PD" at our latest meeting!
For those who were unable to attend here are the key takeaways.
Did you know that up to 80% of people living with Parkinson’s disease experience swallowing difficulties? Eating is about so much more than nutrition.
The good news? With a few practical adjustments, these challenges are highly manageable. Here are the essential takeaways from Ms. Boye's excellent session:
🍽️ Top Tips for Safe Swallowing
✔️The 90-Degree Rule: Always sit completely upright while eating, and remain upright for 20 to 30 minutes after your last bite.
✔️Try the "Chin Tuck": Bring your head slightly forward and tilt your chin down toward your chest right before you swallow to help protect your airway.
✔️Time it Right: Align your main meals with your "ON" times—when your medication is working at its peak (usually 30–45 minutes after a dose). Avoid complex meals when you are fatigued.
✔️Minimise Distractions: Turn off the TV and focus entirely on the sensory act of eating. Take tiny bites, chew thoroughly, and make a habit of a double swallow.
✔️Modify Your Menu: Choose soft, moist foods like mashed potatoes, stews, scrambled eggs, and yogurt. Say no to dry, crumbly breads, hard fruits, and tough meats.
✔️Thicken Thin Liquids: Plain water and tea can move too quickly and cause coughing. Thickening liquids to a nectar or honey consistency gives your throat time to properly protect your airway.
🗒️A Note for Caregivers: Sit at eye level (don't hover!), offer gentle verbal prompts like "chew well... now swallow," and always watch for mid-meal fatigue.
If you or a loved one are experiencing frequent choking, sudden weight loss, or a wet/gurgly voice after eating, don't hesitate to reach out to a Speech Therapist for a professional assessment.
See you at our next meeting on Saturday 1st August for another insightful session.
