COMMUNICATING EFFECTIVELY ABOUT DYSPHAGIA, DIET MODIFICATION AND ARTIFICIAL NUTRITION IN THE DEMENTIA PATIENT: THE PRACTICE, THE PROCESS AND THE PITFALLS

Moderator: Nivedita Gunturi MD

In this session targeted for any providers who are practicing clinical medicine particularly in a hospital or PALTC setting, we will address the common pitfalls, myths and misconceptions around dysphagia, diet modification and artificial nutrition in dementia. Learning Objectives: (1) describe pathophysiology of oropharyngeal dysphagia; (2) critically review evidence highlighting the presumed benefits and shortcomings of diet modification and tube feeding in dysphagia, particularly the disparities between patients of different racial and socioeconomic backgrounds; (3) analyze common barriers to effective and transparent communication regarding the risks and benefits of artificial nutrition; and (4) implement a communication framework for navigating these goals of care conversations with residents and caregivers in a compassionate and person-centered manner.