I have a question about problems swallowing. How did you first know that your Spouse was starting to have trouble swallowing? Are problems swallowing normally the first sign of a LO beginning stage seven? I know there is no road map for Alzheimer’s but is that also true when it reaches stage seven (the physical loss). The reason I ask is that Kathryn has started throwing up, stops eating before she has finished her meals and started saying she isn’t hungry She has always enjoyed dinner and been a good eater. When I ask her if she is feeling ok, she says yes' she is feeling fine but she is also crying a lot more and last might she could not go to sleep.
I would talk to the doctor ASAP and get her evaluated, preferably by a speech therapist, if swallowing is a problem. Speech therapists are the specialists who can evaluate her and recommend a thick meal replacement that is given for noursihment and to prevent choking.
My DH has a neuro disease that among other things, controls swallowing. There are tests that can be done to see where she falls in risk of choking, and what texture of foods she handles well..and not so well. Would she cooperate with the test?
Does she tend to cough alot and start to choke on foods or liquids?
My DH has a huge fear of choking to death, but sadly, most with his neuro disease pass that way, or thru aspiration of food into the lungs=pnumonia.
A speech therapist evaluated my husband and he is now on thickened liquids and ground meat. The rest of his food is normal consistancy. They also said no straw but we have all discovered that he does better with a straw.