Dysphagia FAQ

Dysphagia is the medical term for swallowing difficulty. It can affect the mouth (oral phase), throat (pharyngeal phase), or oesophagus (oesophageal phase). Common causes include stroke, Parkinson's disease, dementia, head and neck cancer, and age-related muscle weakness. Dysphagia affects an estimated 15% of older adults living in care homes and can lead to serious complications including aspiration pneumonia, malnutrition, and dehydration if not managed appropriately.

Key warning signs include: coughing or choking during or after eating/drinking; a wet or gurgly voice quality during meals; food or liquid leaking from the mouth; feeling of food sticking in the throat or chest; taking much longer than usual to finish a meal; recurrent chest infections or unexplained weight loss; drooling or difficulty controlling food in the mouth. If you notice these signs in yourself or a loved one, consult a registered speech therapist (言語治療師) for a professional swallowing assessment.

IDDSI (International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative) is a global framework that classifies food and drink textures into 8 standardised levels (0–7). Level 0 is thin liquid (water); Level 7 is regular food with no restriction. Levels 1–4 apply to drinks with increasing thickness; Levels 3–7 apply to foods with decreasing texture modification. Using IDDSI levels ensures that everyone involved in a person's care — from hospital dietitians to care home kitchen staff — is using the same language and preparing textures consistently.

The appropriate IDDSI level should be determined by a registered speech therapist following a clinical swallowing assessment. The therapist may use tools such as the EAT-10 self-screen (as an initial flag), fibreoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES), or videofluoroscopy. As a first step, you can use SeniorDeli's free EAT-10 screen at seniordeli.com/assessment to identify risk and receive a suggested starting level range — but this does not replace a professional assessment.

EAT-10 (Eating Assessment Tool) is a validated 10-question self-reported screening instrument for dysphagia. Each question is scored 0 (no problem) to 4 (severe problem); a total score of 3 or above suggests possible swallowing difficulty and warrants professional follow-up. It is widely used by speech therapists as a first-line screen. SeniorDeli offers a free digital EAT-10 screen with IDDSI guidance at seniordeli.com/assessment.

Yes, with the right tools and guidance. Common approaches include using a thickening agent (such as SeniorDeli's Clear Thickener) to adjust liquid viscosity to the prescribed IDDSI level; using a food gellant or softener to achieve pureed (IDDSI 4) or minced (IDDSI 5) textures at home; and using SeniorDeli's appearance-preserved meals for IDDSI Level 6. Always follow the IDDSI level prescribed by your speech therapist. Improper preparation — for example, adding too little thickener — can create aspiration risk even when using the right product.

You should seek a speech therapy assessment as soon as swallowing difficulty is suspected — do not wait. In Hong Kong, you can access speech therapy through: Hospital Authority public hospitals (referral from GP or specialist); private speech therapy clinics; some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) offering subsidised services for elderly clients. If your loved one is in a care home, the facility should be able to arrange a referral. Early assessment prevents aspiration pneumonia and allows appropriate dietary management to begin promptly.

Safe thickening products should be clinically tested, tasteless and odourless (to preserve the enjoyment of food), and reliably produce the target IDDSI level when used as directed. SeniorDeli's Clear Thickener is designed to meet IDDSI Levels 1–4 depending on dose, with consistent viscosity results. Starch-based thickeners are an alternative but may break down over time (syneresis) causing the liquid to thin out — an aspiration risk. Always follow the recommended dose chart and verify texture using the IDDSI fork-drip or spoon-tilt test.

SeniorDeli is Hong Kong's dedicated IDDSI-compliant care food brand. Our product range covers all modified texture levels: Clear Thickener (IDDSI 1–4 liquids), Cold Gellant (IDDSI 4 pureed foods), Food Softener (IDDSI 5–6), and Appearance-Preserved Meals (IDDSI 6). Products are available through our app and selected retail partners. You can also find our AI-powered IDDSI product matcher at seniordeli.com/app, which recommends the right product based on the prescribed level.

Yes. The SeniorDeli app is free to download and use for individual caregivers and family members. It includes the EAT-10 screen, IDDSI product matcher, AI food classifier, and care diary features. Care homes and healthcare facilities accessing the full institutional compliance pack — including staff training modules and SWD documentation templates — can join our pilot programme for extended free access. Visit seniordeli.com/pilot to apply.