Life Care Planning Issues for Adult Swallowing Disorders

Swallowing disorders occur in adults as a result of congenital, acquired, and aging issues. Life care planners who work with adults with swallowing disorders should have a basic understanding not only about the complexity of swallowing problems and the potential impact of oral and pharyngeal dysphagia (swallowing disorders) on future care planning, but also on swallowing anatomy and physiology, assessment, and treatment. This is the second article of a two-part series discussing oral and pharyngeal swallowing disorders across the continuum of life care planning. The first article (Higdon, 2005) addresses pediatric swallowing disorders and the current article addresses adult swallowing disorders including how to locate a speech-language pathologist qualified to evaluate, treat, and participate in your life care plan, as well as the components of the plan that relate to swallowing disorders. The article also addresses therapeutic interventions and implications for the life care plan.