EPISODE · Mar 12, 2026 · 27 MIN
Dysphagia & Dementia Part 1: What we Need to Learn & Unlearn with Jackie Rodriguez
from Dysphagia Research Bites · host Dysphagia Bites
Dysphagia & Dementia: What we need to learn & unlearnIf you're a speech pathologist working with adults with dementia, you already know that dysphagia doesn't show up in isolation. It shows up alongside memory loss, behavioural & sensory changes, communication breakdowns and alongside an aging swallow.In part 1 of this episode of Dysphagia Research Bites, Chantelle sits down with Jackie Rodriguez, Speech-Language Pathologist, to unpack the dual diagnosis challenge of dementia and dysphagia, and why assessing swallowing in this population requires a fundamentally different clinical lens.In this episode we cover:Why dementia and dysphagia together present a unique and underrecognised clinical challengeJackie's story of how this became an area of interestAn introduction to the article: Dysphagia in Persons with Dementia: The Dual Diagnosis Challenge by Michelle TristaniA discussion on terminology and why the language we use with this population mattersFunctional approaches to assessing dysphagia in adults with dementiaSome cognitive assessments that SLPs should know about Assessments mentioned in this episode:Dementia Mealtime Assessment Tool (DMAT)Environment & Communication Assessment Toolkit (ECAT) for Dementia CareThe Saint Louis University Mental Status (SLUMS) The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE)Cognitive Linguistic Quick Test (CLQT)Global Deterioration Scale (GDS)Be sure to check out Jackie’s ebook: The SLPs Guide to DementiaYou can find it here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-SLPs-Guide-to-Dementia-11781923The publication this episode is based on: Dysphagia in Persons with Dementia: Tristani, M (2016). The Dual Diagnosis Challenge. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest GroupsVolume 1, Number 15 Pages 105-116https://doi.org/10.1044/persp1.SIG15.105For clinical resources and evidence-based dysphagia education beyond the podcast, head to: www.dysphagiabites.com
What this episode covers
Dysphagia & Dementia: What we need to learn & unlearnIf you're a speech pathologist working with adults with dementia, you already know that dysphagia doesn't show up in isolation. It shows up alongside memory loss, behavioural & sensory changes, communication breakdowns and alongside an aging swallow.In part 1 of this episode of Dysphagia Research Bites, Chantelle sits down with Jackie Rodriguez, Speech-Language Pathologist, to unpack the dual diagnosis challenge of dementia and dysphagia, and why assessing swallowing in this population requires a fundamentally different clinical lens.In this episode we cover:Why dementia and dysphagia together present a unique and underrecognised clinical challengeJackie's story of how this became an area of interestAn introduction to the article: Dysphagia in Persons with Dementia: The Dual Diagnosis Challenge by Michelle TristaniA discussion on terminology and why the language we use with this population mattersFunctional approaches to assessing dysphagia in adults with dementiaSome cognitive assessments that SLPs should know about Assessments mentioned in this episode:Dementia Mealtime Assessment Tool (DMAT)Environment & Communication Assessment Toolkit (ECAT) for Dementia CareThe Saint Louis University Mental Status (SLUMS) The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE)Cognitive Linguistic Quick Test (CLQT)Global Deterioration Scale (GDS)Be sure to check out Jackie’s ebook: The SLPs Guide to DementiaYou can find it here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-SLPs-Guide-to-Dementia-11781923The publication this episode is based on: Dysphagia in Persons with Dementia: Tristani, M (2016). The Dual Diagnosis Challenge. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest GroupsVolume 1, Number 15 Pages 105-116https://doi.org/10.1044/persp1.SIG15.105For clinical resources and evidence-based dysphagia education beyond the podcast, head to: www.dysphagiabites.com
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Dysphagia & Dementia Part 1: What we Need to Learn & Unlearn with Jackie Rodriguez
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