Nourished Aging Toolkit: Dysphagia Education:
Fluids
Message From Sysco’s Nutrition Services Team
Older adults, living within Long Term Care or Retirement settings are at increased risk of swallowing difficulties and dysphagia.Both have an impactful influence on individual's overall health & wellbeing, along with quality of life.
This resource will focus on dysphagia education, including practical tips to address and manage swallowing difficulties and dysphagia. This resource will focus on topics such as:
• Understanding Dysphagia
• Nutrition in Dysphagia Management
• The International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative (IDDSI)
Product suggestions are also included in the toolkit. Please reach out to your Sysco Sales Representative for more information.
Note: The information provided within this toolkit are suggestions and should be implemented in consultation with a Registered Dietitian & Speech Language Pathologist and in accordance with your home specific policies and your resident’s individual needs.
- Sysco Canada’s Nutrition Services Team
Swallowing Difficulties
What is Dysphagia?
• Difficulties with chewing and/or swallowing foods or fluids
• Occurs when the passage of food or fluids from the mouth to the stomach is delayed or hindered1
• Caused by mechanical obstruction (i.e. head and neck surgery) and/or poor motor function (i.e. stroke, head trauma, etc.)1
• Risk factors include aging and natural aging of the esophagus and greater risk of health conditions including Dementia, Parkinson's Disease and Strokes2
• Ongoing dysphagia can lead to choking, weight loss, malnutrition, dehydration, and aspiration pneumonia3
Signs and Symptoms of Dysphagia:
• Poor mouth seal4
• Audible throat clearing4
• Coughing or changes in voice quality4
• Inability to tolerate mixed consistencies4
• Avoiding certain beverages4
• Prolonged fluid consumption4
• Significant weight changes due to decreased food and fluid consumption4
• Recurrent aspiration pneumonia5
Thickened Fluid Terminology
The following chart outlines the various terminology used to identify and describe fluid consistency or thickness.
Current
Terminology
IDDSI
Terminology
Regular Thin Fluids Thin (Level 0)
N/A Slightly Thick (Level 1)
Nectar Thick Fluids Mildly Thick (Level 2)
Honey Thick Fluids Moderately Thick (Level 3)
Pudding Thick Fluids Extremely Thick (Level 4)
Description
• Unmodified
• Flows like water2
• Can drink with any type of cup or straw2
• Commonly used in pediatrics2
• Thicker than Water2
• Requires more effort to consume than regular fluids2
• Flows off a spoon2
• Requires effort to consume through a straw2
• Able to sip from cup2
• Requires effort to consume through straw2
• Able to consume from a cup2
• Consume with a spoon2
• Cannot consume through a cup or straw2
Note: While the current, common terminology can be transitioned to IDDSI fluid levels, please ensure prepared products and recipes are re-evaluated during the adoption of any IDDSI fluid levels. Please always reference IDDSI.org for up to date information.
Sysco Canada Nutrition Services Team
Nutrition Services Team Synergy Tech Suite Updates
• At Sysco Canada, the Nutrition Services Team updated the Synergy Tech Suite database to support IDDSI initiatives for fluids. This includes:
• Updates to database of thickened fluid recipes to meet IDDSI level standards
• Updates to preparation steps for all fluid recipes
• Tagging of fluid recipes using the Synergy Tech Suite Tagging Feature (with disclaimer attached)
• Fluid Sub-grid is updated bi-annually for each Sysco Menu launch
Nutrition Services Team Resources
• For more information on IDDSI you can view our Nourishing Conversation Series (April 8th, 2021) here where Campbells & Voortman share their texture modified recipes & IDDSI updates.
• You can also access videos from Canadian IDDSI Reference Group (CIRG) Industry Partner Forum here
Sysco Synergy Tech Suite
Use integrated foodservice software to support you & elevate your level of care!
How Synergy Tech Suite®’s all-in-one foodservice technology can help you plan and deliver personalized diets and textures:
Sysco's Nutrition Services Team of Nutrition Services Consultants, including Registered Dietitians and Nutrition Managers, understand that delivering personalized care and adhering to frameworks like IDDSI can be challenging– especially when you already have enough of your plate. That's why Synergy Tech Suite® is dedicated to providing solutions that make the complex, simpler.
Here are just a few of the ways Synergy Tech Suite® technology can help make implementing IDDSI in your community that much easier:
• Create and manage IDDSI food textures and fluid consistency diet types
• Create Texture and Fluid modified recipes efficiently
• Create and manage Diet Order Tags specific to IDDSI levels so you can easily search recipes
• Comprehensive People Profiles and Connect Technology help keep your team up-to-date on any residents’ texture and diet requirements.
If you want to standardize and simplify your menu planning process as you implement IDDSI, or learn more about the benefits of end-to-end technology to resident safety and satisfaction contact support@mealsuite.com
Thickened Juices & Beverages
Sysco Imperial Thickened Juices and Beverages are specially formulated to provide hydration and vitamin C to your residents with dysphagia. The refreshing flavors and smooth consistency encourages consumption and each 4 fl oz serving provides 100% DV of vitamin C.
MODERATELY THiCK
NECTAR CONSISTENCY
MILDLY THICK NECTAR CONSISTENCY
Outstanding Quality and Convenience
• Each 4 fl oz serving provides 100% daily value of vitamin C
• Smooth consistency in every swallow
• Shelf stable; no refrigeration required until prior to serving
• Available in both bulk 46 fl oz and single serve 4 fl oz containers
NUTRITION AT A GLANCE
*These items are labeled according to U.S.A. labeling standards
†These items are labeled according to Canada labeling standards
SBFH203 03/2022
Instant Food Thickener
Instant Food Thickener
Whether you prefer to make your thickened beverages from scratch or serve ready-to-serve thickened juices, Lyons is your solution for thickened beverages. ReadyCare Instant Food Thickener makes it easy for you to provide thickened beverages and pureed foods to your patients with dysphagia. Simply add our specially formulated thickener to hot or cold foods or liquids and, within seconds, the proper consistency for safe swallowing is achieved.
Convenient
• One person can pre-thicken bulk pureed foods or beverages
• Thaw stable for advance preparation of pureed foods
• A variety of packets, cans, or case packs for individual or bulk preparation
Safe
• Provides proper food consistency to facilitate a safe swallow
• Can help maintain or improve patient hydration
• Doesn’t bind fluid and is easy to digest
210 g 5 kg
EZ-THICK TM allows to quickly achieve the desired thickness.
EZ-THICK TM is easy to use, dissolve and thicken instantly.
