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Dysphagia Management
in Long Term Care
The Essentials for the New Dysphagia Therapist

Contact Hours: 6.0
We are an ASHA, AOTA and IACET course provider. This course is offered for .6 ASHA and AOTA CEUs, 6.0 contact hours.

Target Audience:Occupational Therapists (OT, COTA), Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP), Nurses (RN, LPN), Dietitians (RD), and other members of the health care team involved in dysphagia care.

Note: This seminar is available only as a sponsored program through rehabilitation companies and facilities. We do not have a calendar of scheduled event dates, as our clients may wish to host the seminar privately vs. inviting the public. Any public seminars for which individuals may register will be posted on this page. For information on hosting this seminar as an in-house or public presentation in your city, Email us by clicking here.

Course Information:

Many health care teams are finding themselves with limited access to Speech-Language Pathologists who can provide dysphagia evaluations and treatment. In some cases, this has resulted in delayed or missed care. The Occupational Therapist is an excellent candidate to fill this role, incorporating dysphagia care into the treatment plan along with ADL and feeding goals. The school-based SLP who has limited use of dysphagia techniques may need a refresher before feeling comfortable in the long term care setting. Other team members, such as RN’s, LPN’s, and Dietitians also play an important part in recognizing swallowing problems, knowing when to recommend therapy, and helping to carry out the plan of care. This course will familiarize Occupational Therapists and other members of the health care team with the entire care process, including screening, symptoms of the normal vs. abnormal swallow, evaluation, treatment techniques, and documentation in accordance with Medicare codes and guidelines. Case studies with practical examples of goals, plans of care, and functional maintenance programs are provided.

This course presents a unique opportunity for OT’s, Nurses, Dietitians, and other team members to build their skill base – becoming more valuable and marketable health care professionals – while ensuring their patients are getting the care they need. After attending this course, participants will be comfortable with the basics of identifying and treating dysphagia in the geriatric population.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Identify the anatomy and physiology of the normal swallow
• Identify symptoms of a disordered swallow
• Recognize the adverse effects of dysphagia
• Perform the dysphagia evaluation process
• Implement basic treatment options and means of alleviating dysphagia symptoms
• Document goals, plans of care, and functional maintenance plans for dysphagia
• Identify how ethical standards apply to the treatment of dysphagia

Target Audience:

This course covers introductory to intermediate level dysphagia management for the geriatric patient. It is designed for OTs and COTAs working with the geriatric population, and is also open to RN’s, LPNs, Dietitians, SLPs with limited experience in dysphagia therapy, and other members of the interdisciplinary care team. Those who work in long term care, hospitals, and home health will find this course informative and beneficial in caring for elders with dysphagia.

Program Schedule (sample) - start time can be modified based on client's preference:

8:30	Registration
9:00	Introduction: Why is it essential for OT’s and other team members to learn about dysphagia therapy?
9:15	The Normal Swallow * Anatomy and Physiology * The three phases of swallowing
10:00	The Abnormal Swallow * Dysphagia and its effects * Symptoms of dysphagia (screening)
11:00	The Assessment * Oral / pharyngeal dysphagia, aspiration * Reflux * Oral Motor function test, apraxia, dysarthria, and voice assessment * Objective tests: FEES, MBS
12:30	Lunch
1:30	Treatment options * Diet changes – thickened liquids, mechanical soft, puree, npo * Compensatory feeding / eating techniques * Therapeutic exercise for oral / pharyngeal muscles * What to do when you don’t know what to do
2:45	Billing, goal writing, POC, FMP
3:45	Competence in dysphagia evaluation and treatment * Ethical standards regarding non-SLP’s treating dysphagia * Recommendations for further learning opportunities
4:00	Audience questions, course evaluations
4:15	Adjourn

CEU Information:

6.0 contact hours/.6 CEUs awarded

Dynamic is approved by the Continuing Education Board of the American Speech Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) to provide contining education activities in Speech-language pathology and audiology. This program is offered for .6 ASHA CEUs, Introductory level, in the Professional area. ASHA CE Provider approval does not imply endorsement of course content, specific products, or clinical procedures.

Dynamic is an approved provider of continuing education courses by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). This program is offered for .6 ASHA CEUs, Introductory Level, Domain of OT: Client Factors, Occupational Therapy Process: Evaluation, Intervention. The assignment of AOTA CEU's does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA.

About the Instructor:

Brenda Logsdon, MA, CCC/SLP has over twelve years experience as a Speech-Language Pathologist, specializing in long term care for the last ten years. She is a graduate of Kent State University, and has practiced since 1989 in pediatrics, outpatient, subacute, intermediate care, assisted living, independent living, long term care, management and mentoring. She has presented dysphagia management courses at several Ohio state conventions (AOPHA, ODH, OHCA), and also teaches a seminar on traumatic brain injury. Brenda especially enjoys teaching other members of the health care team, noting how each discipline can bring their unique expertise to the plan of care. Currently, she provides SLP services to skilled nursing facilities in central Indiana.

Questions? Comments? Would you like to schedule this seminar as an in-house or public presentation in your city? Email us for more information.

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Education and Wellness Network, a part of the Dynamic Group of companies, is a therapist-owned company dedicated to providing quality continuing education and wellness programs to Rehabilitation and Business Professionals, and community groups. We offer full-day seminars, custom in-house inservices, free online newsletter and free email updates. Our instructors are chosen for their expertise, personality, excellent teaching abilities, and a strong desire to motivate others through the sharing of valuable and pertinent information.

Dynamic Group/Dynamic Learning Online
Phone: (813) 855-2876 Fax: (813) 855-6449
learning@dynamicgrp.com