Dementia and Dysphagia

In 2004, more than 12% of the population in the United States was aged 65 years or older. This percentage is expected to increase to 20% of the population by 2030. The prevalence of swallowing disorders, or dysphagia, in older individuals ranges from 7% to 22% and dramatically increases to 40% to 50% in older individuals who reside in long-term care facilities. For older individuals, those with neurologic disease, or those with dementia, the consequence of dysphagia may be dehydration, malnutrition, weight loss, and aspiration pneumonia. Dysphagia can be a result of behavioral, sensory, or motor problems (or a combination of these) and is common in individuals with neurologic disease and dementia. Although there are few studies of the incidence and prevalence of dysphagia in individuals with dementia, it is estimated that 45% of institutionalized dementia patients have dysphagia. The high prevalence of dysphagia in individuals with dementia likely is the result of age-related changes in sensory and motor function in addition to those produced by neuropathology. The following article describes evidence based practices in caring for those individuals with dementia and dysphagia with guidelines for evaluation and management.