Ah yes, the smell of popcorn popping makes your mouth water, doesn’t it? But did you know choking hazards for seniors include popcorn, and choking is the fourth leading cause of injury/death in the United States annually? It also brings back many memories for residents—“take me out to the ballpark” kind of memories! Yep, we all love popcorn, air-popped (healthy), extra butter, kettle corn, caramel corn, yum! In 2020, of 3,000 deaths from choking, 1,430 were seniors!
According to the CDC, there are several reasons why the elderly are at a higher risk of choking. As people age, their chewing and swallowing capabilities may decline, making it more difficult to properly chew and swallow food, which increases the risk of choking. Aging can cause a decrease in muscle strength in the mouth and throat, making it harder to control food and liquids while eating. And let’s not forget dry mouth, which is a common issue for the elderly due to natural aging or certain medications.
Certain foods can pose choking hazards for seniors, especially for those with dentures or difficulty chewing. These include:
- Hot dogs: The shape and texture make them a common choking hazard. Cut them into small pieces or avoid them altogether.
- Grapes: Easily lodged in the throat, so cut them into small pieces or avoid them.
- Hard candy: Can break off and become lodged in the throat. Choose soft candies instead.
- Nuts: Difficult to chew and swallow, so avoid them or choose nut butters.
- Raw carrots: Hard to chew, so cook or steam them before serving.
- Popcorn: Small, hard kernels can easily become lodged in the throat.
Bottom line, it seems like everything our residents love to eat can increase the risk of choking! Follow this prudent advice: be sure you are screening your residents for choking risks and swallowing difficulties. Encourage a proactive approach to dining, include your speech and occupational therapy team in monitoring the dining room during meals, and discourage “in-room dining.” Empower staff to remove food and provide other choices if a resident appears to be struggling to chew or swallow. Educate your staff on the process for notifying the physician and speech therapist if a resident is having difficulty. Last, but certainly not least, EDUCATE YOUR STAFF ON THE HEIMLICH MANEUVER! Stay well and stay informed!
For more information on the Heimlich Maneuver:
