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Mealtime Assistance for Older Adults

Storyboard

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Overview

Course Title:

Mealtime Assistance for Older Adults

Learning objective:

- understand the importance of eating and mealtime for older adults

  • Identify several strategies to prepare for mealtime
  • Identify several strategies for assisting during and after mealtime
  • Identify and recognize common symptoms of swallowing difficulties
  • recognize when to seek additional help

Description Text

Your role as a caregiver assisting with mealtimes is incredibly important work.  You are working with our most vulnerable population to ensure that they are eating and drinking the food and beverages that support their health.  When helping during mealtime, you are actively playing a role in contributing towards the prevention and treatment of malnutrition.

Mealtime assistance can mean many things, from having a friendly conversation to brighten their day, to opening packages, cutting food, helping to eat and being a watchful eye for any difficulties and concerns.    

With this training, you will learn the best practices to offer the support, companionship, and encouragement that will have significant impacts on an older adult's nutritional and social wellbeing and quality of life.  

Click the "Start Course" button above to start making a difference!    

Units

Introduction

Feed Assistance

Safe Eating

Quiz

Client:

CareYaYa

Instructional Designer:

Laura Krauss

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Units

Nr

Name

Content

1

Introduction

Why do we eat and drink?

3 main reasons with descriptions

  1. pleasure and social interaction
  2. To maintain health
  3. To satisfy hunger and thirst

2

Feeding Assistance

2 lessons-

  1. Getting prepared – 6 strategies
  2. During and after Mealtime – 6 strategies
  3. Knowledge check

3

Safe Eating

2 lessons-

  1. Swallowing difficulties (video with signs)
  2. When to tell your Supervisor – abnormal behavior issues that could indicate a more serious problem

4

Quiz

5 question quiz

Conclusion

5

6

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Style Guide

Logo

N/A

Cover Photo

top-view-star-soup-bowl-dark-surface.jpg

Custom colours

Blue #285f9f

Fonts

Heading: Lato

Body: Merriweather

Additional Notes

Templates

N/A

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Section 1: Introduction

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Lesson

Why do we eat and drink?

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1.1

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CONTENT

TEXT: There are many reasons we must eat and drink.  Below are a few important reasons  why mealtime is so essential especially for older adults. 

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Lesson

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Image and Text

NOTES

CONTENT

Image has hotspots to uncover text.

TEXT:

(Hotspot 1) For pleasure or social interaction- Mealtimes are often incorporated into social events.  As we age, this is especially notable because it can get quite lonely, especially if the patient is living alone.  Sharing a meal or even a conversation with another person can make a major contribution to their quality of life. 

(Hotspot 2) To maintain health- Eating and drinking a balanced diet helps fend off diseases and infections, builds our immune system, and manages chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.

(Hotspot 3) To satisfy hunger or thirst- A lack of food or drink can affect our mood and mental alertness.  Food and drink is also essential for building strength for activities and movement.

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Lesson

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1.3

BLOCK TYPE

Continue

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CONTENT

Only activated when block 1.2 has been completed.

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Section 2: Feeding Assistance

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Lesson

Getting prepared

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2.1

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Text

NOTES

CONTENT

Background in brand color

TEXT: Set a positive tone- As a caregiver, the activities you preform prior to the meal, are just as important as what you do during and after for creating a positive and successful experience.  Click on the flashcards below to learn more.

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Lesson

Getting prepared

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Text and image on flashcards

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Flashcard stack

1) IMAGE: stock-image.jpg (hand washing)

TEXT: Wash your hands.  Remind your patient to wash theirs as well.  If it is not possible, you can wipe their hands with a damp cloth.  

2) IMAGE: stock-image.jpg (table and chairs)

TEXT: Use a sturdy and upright table and chair. This is incredibly important to prevent choking and provide the patient access to their meal.

3) IMAGE: stock-image.jpg (table setting)

TEXT: Set the table.  Have all items within reach and ready to eat.  Only provide the necessary utensils to lesson confusion and distraction.  

4) IMAGE: stock-image.jpg (elder and caregiver)

TEXT: Communicate. Use adjectives to describe the meal and stimulate interest.  Start a friendly conversation to set a positive tone.

5) IMAGE: stock-image.jpg (clock)

TEXT: Don't rush.  Allow at least 30-45 minutes for a meal.

6) IMAGE: tv off.jpg

TEXT: Reduce distractions. Turn off the TV and/or radio.  Close the blinds or curtains if necessary.

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Lesson

Getting prepared

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2.3

BLOCK TYPE

Continue

NOTES

CONTENT

Activated upon completion of block 2.2

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Lesson

During and after Mealtime

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3.1

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Image and text

NOTES

CONTENT

Image is background under text

IMAGE: stock image.jpg (plate of food)

TEXT: During mealtime, continue to use a calm, friendly and encouraging tone.  Start a light conversation. This can go a long way in keeping it a positive experience. 

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Lesson

During and After Mealtime

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3.2

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Text

NOTES

CONTENT

In Note form

Click the tabs below to learn more mealtime tips.

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Lesson

During and After Mealtime

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3.3

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Text and Image (Accordion)

NOTES

CONTENT

  1. IMAGE: elderly woman eating.jpg

TEXT: Encourage Independence: Honor individual preferences and encourage independence as much as possible.  Only offer assistance if you see the senior having trouble.  For example, you may need to help with fitting dentures, sitting down, cutting up food or opening packages.  In some cases, you may need to help feed the senior by holding their hand with the utensil or drink and bringing it to their mouth.

2) IMAGE: stock-image.jpeg (plate of food)

TEXT: Encourage eating and drinking: Give gentle reminders to take a bite or drink.  Prompting them with a question about the food or beverage is an easy way to offer this reminder.  For example, you can ask how the chicken tastes or if they would like a drink.  Comment on how good the food looks and smells.

3) IMAGE: stock-image.jpeg (bowl of soup)

TEXT: Serve the meal in progression: If there are multiple different types of food in the meal, serve it in progression.  For example, start with the salad or soup in a single dish, then serve the entree, then the dessert.

4) IMAGE: 8856178134_8a72109be1_w.jpg (plate of food)

TEXT: Serve the meal ready to eat: Have everything on the plate and ready to eat when you serve the meal.  This includes any condiments or sauces. Serve soup or cereal with the utensil already in the bowl.  If there are several foods that are the same color on the plate, try separating them into different dishes.  Foods that all look similar on a plate can be confusing for an older adult.

5) IMAGE: Stock-image.jpeg (glass of water)

TEXT: Always offer water: Fill the cup half-way and use a straw to help with spills and portion control.

6) IMAGE: stock-image.jpeg (clean plate)

TEXT: Make sure they are presentable: When the meal is over, be sure to help the senior check their personal appearance.  Help wipe their mouth/face and clean spills if necessary.   

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Lesson

During and After Mealtime

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3.4

BLOCK TYPE

Continue

NOTES

CONTENT

Activated upon completion of block 3.3

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Lesson

Knowledge Check

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4.1

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Paragraph text

NOTES

CONTENT

Let's see what you have learned about preparing and serving meals.  Chose whether the action is something you would do in preparation of the meal or during the meal. 

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Lesson

Knowledge Check

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4.2

BLOCK TYPE

Sorting Activity with text

NOTES

CONTENT

2 categories-

Before Meal- Wash your hands, Ensure the table and chairs are stable, Communicate about the menu, plan for at least 30-45 minutes, set the table, reduce distractions

During Meal- encourage eating and drinking, encourage independence, offer water, serve meal in progression, serve the food ready to eat.

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Lesson

Knowledge check

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4.3

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CONTENT

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Section 3: Safe Eating

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Lesson

Swallowing difficulties

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5.1

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Text

NOTES

CONTENT

Background in brand color

When eating, some patients can experience swallowing difficulties (dysphagia), that can place them at risk for choking or aspiration of foods or liquids.  When food or liquid slip into the airway or further into the lungs, they can cause an obstruction (choking) or aspiration, which can be life threatening.  It is important to observe your patient closely while eating and drinking and look for the signs.  Watch the short video below to learn the signs of swallowing difficulties.

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Lesson

Swallowing difficulties

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5.2

BLOCK TYPE

Video

NOTES

CONTENT

embedded

VIDEO: <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jyFc8WaPwro?start=41&amp;end=93" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Starts at .43 seconds and ends at .93 seconds

Shows signs of swallowing difficulties.

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Lesson

Swallowing difficulties

BLOCK ID

5.3

BLOCK TYPE

Knowledge check

NOTES

CONTENT

Multiple response knowledge check

TEXT: Check off the signs of swallowing difficulties that were mentioned in the video.

CHOICES INCLUDE: Watery eyes, multiple swallows, coughing, changes in the voice (wet voice), facial grimacing, runny nose, putting hands on your chest, drooling, shortness of breath, throat clearing

Correct answers are: multiple swallows, coughing, changes in the voice (wet voice), facial grimacing, drooling, shortness of breath, throat clearing

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Lesson

Swallowing difficulties

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5.4

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Text and image

NOTES

CONTENT

Image is to the left of the text

TEXT: If you observe any of these symptoms while feeding... 

1) Stop feeding/eating immediately.

2) Continue to monitor symptoms and look for any blockage in the mouth/throat.

3) If the senior becomes distressed and/or you feel they are in need of immediate medical attention call for help immediately.  Stay with your senior until help arrives.

IMAGE: stock-photo.jpeg (stop sign)

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Lesson

Swallowing difficulties

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5.5

BLOCK TYPE

Continue

NOTES

CONTENT

Activated upon completion of block 5.3

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