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Dysphagia among nursing home residents: an assessment and management protocol.

The literature suggests that 40% to 60% of nursing home residents have some degree of dysphagia, i.e., difficulty in swallowing. Poorly managed, this can lead to aspiration pneumonia; choking; chronic malnutrition; decreased quality of life; and frustration for residents, family, and staff. This article reviews the nursing literature on dysphagia management and then describes a comprehensive protocol to assess and manage patients with swallowing problems in long term care.