Helping Dysphagia Patients with Neurological Disorders
Swallowing disorder affects a large portion of the elderly population, which increases the mortality and morbidity rates due to complications such as malnutrition and aspiration pneumonia. A patient's quality of life can be worsened by dysphagia, especially considering the adversely emotional impact this condition has on both eating and the social aspects of meal preparation and intake. The evaluation and treatment of a patient with a neurodegenerative disease further complicates these issues. How can you successfully assess and treat dysphagia patients who have Parkinson's disease (PD)? Multiple Sclerosis (MS)? Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)? Huntington's disease?

Due to the projected increase of baby boomers beginning to face (or who will face) a neurodegenerative disease, therapists play a prominent role in the patient's daily activity, especially in dealing with dysphagia. Sharing her knowledge of more than 30 years of working with dysphagia patients, Denise Dougherty, MA, CCC-SLP, invites you to this informative and impactful seminar. Ms. Dougherty thoroughly examines four neurodegenerative diseases—PD, MS, ALS, and Huntington's disease—as well as the changes observed in patients' swallowing, the medications often prescribed for the disorders, and the best dysphagia evaluation procedures to use. Clinical scenarios are examined to sharpen your ability to treat this particular population. Take home evidence-based recommendations and tailor-made strategies you can use immediately with patients living with one of these neurodegenerative diseases.

CHART REVIEW FOR MEDICAL HISTORY & MEDICATIONS
• Impact of comorbidities
• Medication resources
• Review of pharmacology and medication absorption
• Potential medication side effects
DIAGNOSIS OF PARKINSON’S DISEASE (PD)
• Background information on PD
o Symptoms
o Neurological changes
• Diagnosis of disease
o Assessments
• Progression of disease
• Pharmacology
o Medications and rationale behind specific meds, plus side effects
o Herbs, supplements, vitamins
DIAGNOSIS OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS (MS)
• Background information on MS
o Symptoms
o Neurological changes
• Diagnosis of disease
o Assessments
• Progression of disease
• Pharmacology
o Medication and rationale behind specific meds, plus side effects
o Herbs, supplements, vitamins
DIAGNOSIS OF AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL
SCLEROSIS (ALS)
• Background information on ALS
o Symptoms
o Neurological changes
• Diagnosis of disease
o Assessments
• Progression of disease
• Pharmacology
o Medication and rationale behind specific meds, plus side effects
o Herbs, supplements, vitamins
DIAGNOSIS OF HUNTINGTON’S DISEASE
• Background information on Huntington’s disease
o Symptoms
o Neurological changes
• Diagnosis of disease
o Assessments
• Progression of disease
• Pharmacology
o Medication and rationale behind specific meds, plus side effects
o Herbs, supplements, vitamins
EVALUATION
• Standardized tests
• Oral mechanism exam
ROLE OF INSTRUMENTAL ASSESSMENTS
• VFSS/FEES
• Endoscopy
• Barium swallow
DIET/LIQUID RECOMMENDATIONS
• National Dysphagia Diet
• Preprocessed foods
• Frazier Free W ater Protocol
• Nutritional strategies
LITERATURE REVIEW
• Examination of recent studies
THERAPY GOALS & EXERCISES
• Possible scenarios on MBS with each disorder
• Impact of disorder on esophageal function
• Matching therapeutic exercise to possible scenarios on MBS